Can The Prominent Ridge On My Skull Be Reduced?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a question about the skull contouring procedures that you do. My question is that can a small strip of bone be burred down from the top of my head which is pointed and thick, back down do the forehead? I’ve seen a video on Youtube where they do this for metopic synostosis.

A: What you are referring to is the reduction of a midline or sagittal ridge of bone, which represents the original fusion of the sagittal suture between the front (forehead) and back (occipital) fontanelles. In some people this line of sutural fusion can get quite thick and becomes a raised ridge of bone that can be quote prominent. This midline ridge of bone can be burred down (reduction cranioplasty) so that it is more level with the surrounding bone. How much it can be reduced depends on how thick the skull is along the ridge.Usually the ridge is thicker than the surrounding bone so that is not a problem. But it is a good idea to check its thickness first with an x-ray before actually having the procedure.  

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana