Craniosynostosis, premature fusion of the skull bones at the sutures, is the 
second most common human birth defect in the skull. Raman microspectroscopy was 
used to examine the composition, relative amounts, and locations of the mineral 
and matrix produced in mouse skulls undergoing force-induced craniosynostosis. 
Raman imaging revealed decreased relative mineral content in skulls undergoing 
craniosynostosis compared with unloaded specimens.
INTRODUCTION: Raman microspectroscopy, a nondestructive vibrational 
spectroscopic technique, was used to examine the composition, relative amounts, 
and locations of the mineral and matrix produced in mouse skulls undergoing 
force-induced craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis, premature fusion of the skull 
bones at the sutures, is the second most common birth defect in the face and 
skull. The calvaria, or flat bones that comprise the top of the skull, are most 
often affected, and craniosynostosis is a feature of over 100 human syndromes 
and conditions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Raman images of the suture, the tips immediately adjacent 
to the suture (osteogenic fronts), and mature parietal bones of loaded and 
unloaded calvaria were acquired. Images were acquired at 2.6 x 2.6 microm 
spatial resolution and ranged in a field of view from 180 x 210 microm to 180 x 
325 microm.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study found that osteogenic fronts subjected to 
uniaxial compression had decreased relative mineral content compared with 
unloaded osteogenic fronts, presumably because of new and incomplete mineral 
deposition. Increased matrix production in osteogenic fronts undergoing 
craniosynostosis was observed. Understanding how force affects the composition, 
relative amounts, and location of the mineral and matrix provides insight into 
musculoskeletal disease in general and craniosynostosis in particular. This is 
the first report in which Raman microspectroscopy was used to study 
musculoskeletal disease. These data show how Raman microspectroscopy can be used 
to study subtle changes that occur in disease.