For the first few months of Lukas’ life he was growing and developing like most healthy newborns, but when his parents Pauline and Tony noticed that one side of Lukas’ skull wasn’t growing normally and he would only ever sleep on his left side, they knew something wasn’t right.
“I had noticed that Lukas never liked tummy time because the weight and position of one side of his head caused his neck to strain and it was uncomfortable for him,” said Pauline.
When the couple’s older daughter Mia was a similar age she was diagnosed with a severe form of a condition called deformational plagiocephaly, meaning an uneven head shape. Whilst the condition does not affect the development of a baby’s brain, if not treated it may change their physical appearance by causing uneven growth of their face and head.
The Maternal and Child Health Nurse told us it was likely Lukas had the same condition as Mia, and our doctor then referred us on to The Royal Children’s Hospital.
“When our daughter was diagnosed it was really daunting for us. All I could think was ‘what did I do wrong?’ said Pauline. “We were told that it could have been caused by her position in the uterus during pregnancy, or it could have happened during birth.”
Pauline said that it was only when they found out that it was a condition that could be treated that they found relief. “When Lukas was diagnosed we knew that the treatment had been successful for Mia and that she was fine now, so we were comforted by the fact that, with the right treatment, the outlook for Lukas was good,” she said.
That treatment is known as helmet therapy and at seven-months-old Lukas was given a corrective helmet to re-shape his head. The helmet helps the skull re-shaping process by removing the pressure over the flat area, allowing the skull to grow into the space provided.
“Lukas had to wear the helmet for 23 hours a day for six months, we only took it off for bath time. It wasn’t always easy for him but after sleeping with it the first night he began to get used to it,” Pauline said.
For the next six months the RCH Clinical Photography team worked closely with Lukas’ medical team, including an orthotist and physiotherapist, using 3D photography to monitor the progress of Lukas’ treatment and map how the corrective helmet was improving the shape of his head. The photography ensured Lukas’ medical team knew exactly how he was progressing and in what time frame, and enabled them to alter his treatment plan if necessary, according to the results.
RCH Clinical Photographer Robert Reitmaier said the 3D photography system was the first of its kind in Australia. The system operates with 21 cameras, which are placed around the patient, and in just 1.5 milliseconds the cameras photograph the patient and create a virtual 3D model.
“The new cameras allow for a better field of view, which enables half body and cranial images of children and adolescents. They also allow for better resolution and skin definition,” Robert said.
“The technology is being used by a number of clinical departments, including the RCH Orthotic and Prosthetic Unit, who used the images to create helmets such as the one used to treat Lukas. They then use the 3D images of the patient over a period of time to monitor their progress.”
“Before this technology was available the orthotists would need to plaster cast a child’s head to shape a suitable helmet, which was far more stressful for patients then having their photo taken.”
The 3D imaging is also frequently used by the RCH Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Department. Jigsaw Foundation Chair of Paediatric Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Professor Tony Penington, says the new technology allows surgeons to access a very accurate record of a patient’s surgery and treatment results.
“The technology allows us to plan surgery better and achieve better outcomes for our patients,” Tony said.
Lukas is now one-year-old and after six months the helmet has enabled his skull to grow into a regular form, which can now continue to develop normally.