Craniosynostosis and Guanine Nucleotide-binding Protein Alpha Stimulating Mutation: Risk of Bleeding Diathesis and Circulatory Collapse in Patients Undergoing Cranial Vault Reconstruction

Perioperative Outcomes Following Pediatric Cranial Vault Remodeling: Are Improvements Possible?

PURPOSE

The Pediatric Craniofacial Collaborative Group recently reported pooled perioperative data from 31 North American centers performing open cranial vault remodeling procedures. The authors sought to determine if outcomes were different at a single higher-volume center and if identified, ascertain reasons for any differences and propose strategies for improvement.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all open pediatric cranial vault procedures performed at our center during the identical 3.25-year period reported by the Collaborative group, including demographic, perioperative management and outcome data, to permit multiple comparative analyses.

RESULTS

The 310 procedures were performed by our center during this time period, compared to 1223 by the combined 31 institutions (median: 29.5 cases/center; interquartile range: 12-54.5). Multiple outcome differences were found: our higher-volume center had a significantly lower overall red blood cell transfusion rate (≤2 years: 7.5 percent vs 91 percent, P <0.001), those requiring transfusions were transfused considerably smaller volumes (≤2 years: 3.8mL/kg vs 45.3 mL/kg, P <0.001), and exposure to ≥3 blood donors was significantly less (none vs 20 percent, P <0.001). There were no mortalities in either group, but almost all matched adverse events were less common at our center. Both the intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were significantly shorter at our center (1 vs 2 days, 2 vs 4 days, both P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative outcomes following pediatric craniosynostosis corrections performed at a single higher-volume center compare favorably to median national data. Multiple potential strategies to reduce blood utilization, minimize perioperative complications, and shorten hospitalizations are proposed.

Clinical genetics of craniosynostosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

When providing accurate clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling in craniosynostosis, the challenge is heightened by knowledge that etiology in any individual case may be entirely genetic, entirely environmental, or anything in between. This review will scope out how recent genetic discoveries from next-generation sequencing have impacted on the clinical genetic evaluation of craniosynostosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Survey of a 13-year birth cohort of patients treated at a single craniofacial unit demonstrates that a genetic cause of craniosynostosis can be identified in one quarter of cases. The substantial contributions of mutations in two genes, TCF12 and ERF, is confirmed. Important recent discoveries are mutations of CDC45 and SMO in specific craniosynostosis syndromes, and of SMAD6 in nonsyndromic midline synostosis. The added value of exome or whole genome sequencing in the diagnosis of difficult cases is highlighted.

SUMMARY

Strategies to optimize clinical genetic diagnostic pathways by combining both targeted and next-generation sequencing are discussed. In addition to improved genetic counseling, recent discoveries spotlight the important roles of signaling through the bone morphogenetic protein and hedgehog pathways in cranial suture biogenesis, as well as a key requirement for adequate cell division in suture maintenance.