Bathrocephaly

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Bathrocephaly, also known as bathrocephalic occiputs, is a normal variation in skull shape, caused by an outward convex bulge of mid-portion of the occipital bone, often associated with a modification of the mendosal suture.

Epidemiology

The true incidence of this disorder is unknown .

Clinical presentation

Bathrocephaly is of no clinical significance and typically resolves with skull remodeling . Occasionally it may persist in adults .

Rarely, there is an association with Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, which is characterized by hirsutism, joint laxity, acro-osteolysis, vertebral anomalies, bathrocephaly, and normal intelligence .

Pathology

Bathrocephalic occiputs is a normal variation in skull shape, in which there is an outward convex bulge of mid-portion of the occipital bone . Bathrocephaly extends from the lambdoid to the mendosal suture. There is often a significant bulge of the interparietal portion of the occipital bone .

Etiology

The etiology of the condition is uncertain. Batrocephaly probably results from intrauterine modelling, with spontaneous remodeling being the rule . It can occur in babies who are a breech presentation in utero .

This disorder may be the result of incomplete fusion of the mendosal suture, which leads to bulging of the interparietal portion of the occipital bone. The skull protrusion slowly becomes less prominent and usually disappears . When it persists, it is associated with the characteristic head shape called bathrocephaly.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Radiographs show a step-like bony protrusion of the posterior skull, with prominent occipital shelf, which should not be confused with pathologic changes. It is not associated with craniosynostosis .

CT

CT usually shows protrusion of the occipital bone between both parietal bones, with a step-like appearance of the occiput .

Treatment and prognosis

There is currently no evidence for intervention or surgical management of the disorder .

Differential diagnosis