Final scan results in older toddler

[Guest guest]

Today had what will most likely be his final head scan. We will

keep the helmet on for awhile hoping for some more filling in on the

upper back right. This area does not show up in the scan numbers, so

although looks much better than his first scan 11 months ago, I

still see some minor plagio. The part that concerns me most is a ridge

on the right side at the suture. I'll continue to work on this with

alternative treatments, possibly for years. There is no point in more

scans, since I do not expect more improvement in the numbers beyond

measurement error. Any improvement from here will surely be extremely

slow and subtle and I will not track it with scans or pictures. I do

not believe pictures accurately reflect small improvement. I'm relieved

to be done with these scans, which I found extremely stressful!

Although we are not done with the helmet or treatment. I'm going to

start letting 's hair grow out. I had been cutting it short before

the scans for more accurate results. Perhaps, as 's hair grows, the

remaining plagio will be hidden, at least I can hope so.

The first scan was 5/19/09 at 11.5 months and the last scan was 4/19/10

at 22.5 months. We started the helmet the week of 's first birthday.

First scan on 5/19:

At level 3, brachy measurement was 86.7% and asymmetry 7.1mm. At level

5, the asymmetry was 8.0mm.

Last scan:

At level 3, brachy at 83.1% and asymmetry 1.6mm. At level 5, the

asymmetry is 2.8mm.

I believe 's head has always looked a little worse than the

measurements indicate. All the improvement in asymmetry was off the

back, since the forehead asymmetry was so minor to begin with that the

helmet was not precise enough to help there. I believe that for

toddlers with more forehead asymmetry there is more potential for a drop

in the asymmetry measurements. 's improvement was fairly steady

with only a slowing down, but not stopping, of improvement after 20.5

months. We pursued aggressive alternative treatments in conjunction

with the helmet and I strongly believe this accelerated our results.

wears a Starband supported by a highly recommended ortho.

Best,

Kathy