Maxillary deformation in unilateral coronal synostosis.

Distinct osseous structural differences exist between patients with unilateral coronal synostosis and those with "deformational plagiocephaly." Patients with unilateral coronal synostosis exhibit significant anterior displacement of the infraorbital rim relative to the ipsilateral frontal bone and contralateral infraorbital rim (p less than 0.005). Patients with deformational plagiocephaly are noted to have retrusion of the frontal bone and infraorbital rim on the involved side. The observed differences, documented utilizing computerized tomography, are easily appreciated on clinical examination, facilitating rapid distinction between these two entities.