Computed assisted area measurement using CT scans: clinical application for craniosynostosis in children

This paper describes a method for obtaining intracranial area measurements using CT scans with a software for quantitative analysis of tracing data. A Toshiba CT 1010 scanner was used (120 kv, 10 mm slice thickness) to examine 13 children before and after cranioplastic surgery for craniosynostosis. Using Scion Image (Scion Corporation) with Intuos tablet system (WACOM), the intracranial space was measured at approximately same scanning level. Our findings show that the reverse pi and bilateral canthal advancement procedures usually carried out are associated with increased intracranial area, 4.5 +/- 2.1% and 12.0 +/- 8.3%, respectively. This measurement method should be further modified to intracranial volume gain by several surgical procedures.