New method for quantification of severity of isolated scaphocephaly linked to intracranial volume

Purpose The aim is to implement Utrecht Cranial Shape Quantificator (UCSQ) for quantification of severity of scaphocephaly and compare UCSQ with the most used quantification method, cranial index (CI). Additionally, severity is linked to intracranial volume (ICV). Methods Sinusoid curves of 21 pre-operative children (age Results Mean UCSQ was 22.00 (2.00–42.00). Mean traditional CI was 66.01 (57.36–78.58), and mean visual score was 9.1 (7–12). Correlations between both traditional CI and CI of UCSQ and overall visual scores were moderate and high (r = − 0.59; p = 0.005 vs. r = − 0.81; p r = 0.26; p > 0.05) and between ICV and CI and visual score (r = − 0.30; p > 0.05 and r = 0.17; p > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion Our current advice is to use traditional CI in clinical practice; it is easy to use and minimally invasive. However, UCSQ is more precise and objective and captures whole skull shape. Therefore, UCSQ is preferable for research. Additionally, more severe scaphocephaly does not result in more deviant skull volumes.