Patients with Crouzon's Syndrome have a similar facial appearance when compared to Apert's syndrome. However, there are several important distinctions. Crouzon's patients seldom have macrocephaly, in spite of the fact that they have multiple cranial suture fusions. They exhibit variable degrees of midfacial deficiency and exorbitism. Their hands are completely normal and their teeth tend not to have the delayed eruption seen in patients with Apert's syndrome.

Crouzon syndrome is a condition in which sutures in the head are prematurely fused resulting in abnormal growth of the skull and face. Children with Crouzon's have bulging eyes due to abnormal growth of the mid-face. They may have a receding upper jaw and protruding lower jaw. They may have problems with teeth due to abnormal jaw growth.

Dr. Alan Shanske (Pediatrics) is a Geneticist and he serves as the Medical Director of the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore. A consultation with him is very important since making the proper diagnosis may be a challenge. He can be reached at (718) 741-2323.

James T. Goodrich, M.D., PhD is the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery. He is internationally recognized pediatric neurosurgeon. His office telephone number is (718) 920-4197. You can also visit his website by clicking here.

Ira Richmond Abbott, M.D. is an internationally recognized leader in Pediatric Neurosurgery. He recently joined the faculty at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore and we are fortunate to have his expertise available to us at The Center for Craniofacial Disorders. Read aqbout him here. He can be reached at (718) 920-7400.

Like Apert's, children with Crouzon's typically have a genetic mutation in the FGFR gene. Mutations in FGFR I-IV have been seen, but FGFR I seems to be the most common. The phenotype of children with Crouzon's is highly variable. In some cases, only mild brachycephaly and exorbitism are seen. In other cases, severe brachy-turricephaly is evident and the eyes are wide set (hypertelorism).