Macrocephaly (from the greek words μακρύς, meaning "long", and κεφάλη, meaning "head"), a type of cephalic disorder, is a condition in which the head circumference is larger than average for the age and sex of the infant or child. It is a descriptive rather than a diagnostic term, and is a characteristic of a variety of disorders. Macrocephaly also may be inherited. Although one form of macrocephaly may be associated with mental retardation, in approximately one-half of cases mental development is normal. Macrocephaly may be caused by an enlarged brain or hydrocephalus. It may be associated with other disorders such as dwarfism, neurofibromatosis, and tuberous sclerosis. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) is a detailed description of known diseases and injuries. ... The following codes are used with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) is a detailed description of known diseases and injuries. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... Cephalic disorders are congenital conditions that stem from damage to, or abnormal development of, the budding nervous system. ... Dwarfism is typically a pathological condition in which the physical size of a person, animal, or plant is well below normal. ... Neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. ... Tuberous sclerosis, (meaning hard potatoes), is a rare genetic disorder primarily characterized by a triad of seizures, mental retardation, and skin lesions (called adenoma sebaceum). ...
Infants who come to attention because of macrocephaly and are found to have chronic subdural hematoma must be managed as suspected victims of child abuse.
The imaging investigation of macrocephaly in infancy is problematic.
Despite the expense and the requirement for monitored sedation, MR imaging is the modality of choice for investigation of macrocephaly.
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