Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report

IntroductionMetopic craniosynostosis results in a deformed skull and hence, impacts brain growth and development. Surgery is usually applied to treat this trigonocephalic head malformation. Helmet therapy is also utilized in craniosynostosis treatment after the surgery. However, data on use of 3D pr...

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Main Authors: Huthaifa Atallah, Rabee Naeem, Amneh Alshawabka, Anas S. Said, Huda Alfatafta, Evelin Derkács, Dorottya Varga, Bálint Molics
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1474412/full
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author Huthaifa Atallah
Rabee Naeem
Amneh Alshawabka
Anas S. Said
Huda Alfatafta
Evelin Derkács
Dorottya Varga
Bálint Molics
author_facet Huthaifa Atallah
Rabee Naeem
Amneh Alshawabka
Anas S. Said
Huda Alfatafta
Evelin Derkács
Dorottya Varga
Bálint Molics
author_sort Huthaifa Atallah
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionMetopic craniosynostosis results in a deformed skull and hence, impacts brain growth and development. Surgery is usually applied to treat this trigonocephalic head malformation. Helmet therapy is also utilized in craniosynostosis treatment after the surgery. However, data on use of 3D printed helmets in treatment of metopic craniosynostosis is lacking. Most of the studies are published about molding helmets. Moreover, there is a lack of evidence on its clinical outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the use of a 3D printed helmet in treating a metopic craniosynostosis, after the endoscopy-assisted craniotomy surgical intervention.Case descriptionA 7-month-old infant who was diagnosed with metopic craniosynostosis was referred from the neurosurgeon for a custom-made 3D printed helmet, after a surgical intervention. A certified orthotist has performed further assessment, scanning, designing, and printing a customized 3D printed helmet. Thereafter, fitting and delivery were successfully completed. Patient has come for two follow-up appointments, at 2 and 5 months.ResultsFive months after the initial fitting, the head shape correction and reduction of deformity were noticed through anthropometric measures. The cranial vault asymmetrical index (CVAI) decreased from 7% to 2% and the cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) reduced from 7 mm to 3 mm.ConclusionThis case report illustrates the utilization of 3D printing technology in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis. 3D printed helmets may offer an appropriate option for treating selective infants with metopic craniosynostosis. Thus, would introduce the 3D helmet as a following intervention for such cases after the endoscopy-assisted craniotomy surgical intervention. Further studies with a higher number of cases are compulsory to assess the effectiveness of treating metopic craniosynostosis by 3D printed helmets instead of molding helmets.
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spelling doaj-art-8bb329a3cfe64f978d37b74797588d3e2025-08-20T02:52:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-03-011310.3389/fped.2025.14744121474412Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case reportHuthaifa Atallah0Rabee Naeem1Amneh Alshawabka2Anas S. Said3Huda Alfatafta4Evelin Derkács5Dorottya Varga6Bálint Molics7Prosthetics and Orthotics Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, JordanDigital Fabrication Division, Revolutionary Technologies for Medical Solutions, Amman, JordanProsthetics and Orthotics Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, JordanNeurosurgery Department, Al Basheer Hospital, Amman, JordanDoctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryDoctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryDoctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryDepartment of Sport Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, HungaryIntroductionMetopic craniosynostosis results in a deformed skull and hence, impacts brain growth and development. Surgery is usually applied to treat this trigonocephalic head malformation. Helmet therapy is also utilized in craniosynostosis treatment after the surgery. However, data on use of 3D printed helmets in treatment of metopic craniosynostosis is lacking. Most of the studies are published about molding helmets. Moreover, there is a lack of evidence on its clinical outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the use of a 3D printed helmet in treating a metopic craniosynostosis, after the endoscopy-assisted craniotomy surgical intervention.Case descriptionA 7-month-old infant who was diagnosed with metopic craniosynostosis was referred from the neurosurgeon for a custom-made 3D printed helmet, after a surgical intervention. A certified orthotist has performed further assessment, scanning, designing, and printing a customized 3D printed helmet. Thereafter, fitting and delivery were successfully completed. Patient has come for two follow-up appointments, at 2 and 5 months.ResultsFive months after the initial fitting, the head shape correction and reduction of deformity were noticed through anthropometric measures. The cranial vault asymmetrical index (CVAI) decreased from 7% to 2% and the cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) reduced from 7 mm to 3 mm.ConclusionThis case report illustrates the utilization of 3D printing technology in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis. 3D printed helmets may offer an appropriate option for treating selective infants with metopic craniosynostosis. Thus, would introduce the 3D helmet as a following intervention for such cases after the endoscopy-assisted craniotomy surgical intervention. Further studies with a higher number of cases are compulsory to assess the effectiveness of treating metopic craniosynostosis by 3D printed helmets instead of molding helmets.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1474412/full3D printinghelmetmetopiccraniosynostosiscase report
spellingShingle Huthaifa Atallah
Rabee Naeem
Amneh Alshawabka
Anas S. Said
Huda Alfatafta
Evelin Derkács
Dorottya Varga
Bálint Molics
Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report
Frontiers in Pediatrics
3D printing
helmet
metopic
craniosynostosis
case report
title Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report
title_full Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report
title_fullStr Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report
title_full_unstemmed Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report
title_short Customized 3D printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7-month-old infant, a case report
title_sort customized 3d printed helmet in the treatment of metopic craniosynostosis in a 7 month old infant a case report
topic 3D printing
helmet
metopic
craniosynostosis
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1474412/full
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