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9 Month Post-Op Apt with Neurosurgeon

Keegan's appointment on March 8, 2011with Dr. Shafron went really well. Actually, it went better than I even expected!

Both Dr. Shafron and his Nurse Practitioner, Kristina, were amazed at how Keegan looked. He did really well when they measured his head and was hamming it up making faces at himself in the mirror, almost posing. Keegans index was .71 (meaning his head's width behind his ears is 71% of its length) which was good.  His head is continuing to grow on the same curve. Keegan's curve is way off the charts but thats because of his large brain =) Dr. Shafron stated that Keegan's head will most likely always be that shape. He was impressed with his scar and overall feeling of Keegan's head.

I went into the appointment with three concerns which were all answered. 

They were the following:

1. Keegan sometimes will stop what he is doing and grab above his ears and close his eyes. Is this cranio related? Are there pressure issues? The NP asked if Keegan has recently been sick or had colds. Keegan had a cold almost all winter and had an ear infection 2 weeks before his appointment. They believe that this is related to congestion, etc. Dr. Shafron also suggests that all kids get their eyes checked yearly once they hit two. The eye exam will show if there is any inter-cranial pressure (ICP).
2. Keegan's speech seems to be behind as he speaks his own language most of the time. He has said many words but does not consistently repeat those words. Can this be cranio related? Dr. Shafron stated that this is the number 1 question asked by ALL parents, regardless of the reason they are seeing him for. He is not concerned with Keegan's speech as he is very responsive and was chattering away. He said he would be concerned if Keegan was not talking at all. He said there are studies out there but they are not valid and many are inconclusive. There is also a link to speech delay in boys. However, sagittal craniosynostosis is also more common in boys than girls.
3. Now that I am pregnant with our second, do the chances of having another cranio baby go up? Is there any way to detect this in-utero, since the sutures in fact do fuse during pregnancy? He said the chance of the second born having cranio is increased. They MAY be able to see an elongated head in an ultrasound but it is very unlikely. He said he always does free sibling checks and to bring the baby in when Keegan sees him again in December. Keegan also has an appointment with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Joganic in September (when the baby is a few weeks-1 month old). Dr. Shafron said to ask Dr. Joganic to look at the baby and give him a hard time if he requests a referral.

Dr. Shafron said Keegan looked even better than he would expect for having surgery at 13 months old when the bones are harder and less likely to reshape. He believes that if someone looked at Keegan, without knowing his history, he/she would never guess that he has craniosynostosis (has or had? since its been corrected does he technically still have it??) I was informed that most kids who have surgery so late do require second surgeries a lot of times. He does not forsee any future surgeries, as long as his head keeps progressing as it has.

Here is a recent picture of our Crazy Boy. We are so delighted that he has been so strong throughout this journey.