What Skull Reshaping Procedure Can Be Done To Reduce The Width Of My Head From Brachycephaly?

Q: Dr. Eppley, does you perform any procedures for adults suffering from untreated brachycephaly that can help reduce the width of the head? I am not sure if reducing the temporal muscle will be enough… 

I am this person, my head circumference is quite big (66 cm)… I cannot wear any helmet. If I could somehow reduce the big bulges on the sides of my head, I imagine the circumference would reduce which would then make it possible for me to wear some helmets. I cannot state how much of distress this has caused in my life. I feel like I am the only person in the world suffering from this condition. It has made my personal life very difficult.

A: Thank you for your inquiry and detailing our head shape concerns. In brachycephaly it rally requites a combination of posterior temporal muscle removal and bone reduction of the parietal bones. The parietal bones in posterior brachycephaly are always more flared and represent a significant part of the problem as well. It would be very helpful to see a 2D CT scan and check the slicing through this area to see how much of the bone thickness can be removed. It is not a question of whether this surgery can be done but how effective it would be.

In addition, while it may seem that you are the only one in the world with this problem I have heard your exact story numerous times.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana