Can The Ridge Down The Center Of My Skull Be Reduced?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a pointy ridge of bone running down the center on the top of my head. Therefore when you look at me face on instead of the normal curve or round shape it looks more of a point. As I have to keep my hair short this makes my head look very odd. I didn’t think anything could be done until I just saw your before and after photos which has given me a little bit of hope. I hope you can help and look forward to your reply.

A: It sounds like you have a very classic sagittal ridge from front to back, a microform of sagittal craniosynotosis if you will. The midline ridge represents either an isolated thickening of the original sagittal suture or a midline ridge combined with some narrowing in the parasagittal out towards the temporal line. In most cases, it is the combination of the two that creates the look. Improvement in shape can be done by skull reshaping consisting of either sagittal ridge reduction alone or combined with a some build-up to the sides to make for a less high and more rounded skull shape. Very visible improvement in your skull shape is possible…provided you can accept a scalp scar to do it.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana