by Cheryl Janusz

Danielle Smith was diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome, in which the bones of the face and skull fuse too soon, creating a shortage of facial bone -- and causing severe skull and facial deformities -- at age 3.

A few decades ago, a child like Danielle faced a lifetime of facial deformity and physical ailments. But today, thanks to the pioneering work of John Polley, MD, and Alvaro Figueroa, DDS, MS, co-directors of the Rush Craniofacial Center, Danielle is a normal teenager with little evidence of her original condition.

She underwent her first operation in 1992 at age 6. In a 16-hour procedure, Polley used pins, wires and grafted bone to carefully extend and reshape the bones around Danielle's eyes, nose and mouth.

In the years that followed, Danielle saw Polley and Figueroa regularly for check-ups and treatment to correct various physical problems. Then, in the summer of 1999, she completed the final phase of her care, undergoing Rigid External Distraction, the bone-lengthening treatment Polley and Figueroa pioneered.

Just two weeks into the procedure, Danielle's mother, Karen, could already see a dramatic improvement in Danielle's breathing and appearance. After six weeks, the change was not just physical, but emotional as well. "She looked beautiful and more confident because of it," Karen Smith says.

Polley, Figueroa and her other Rush caregivers are thrilled to see Danielle thriving.

"We've seen her change from a shy little girl into an independent teenager," says Figueroa. "It's great to see her talking and smiling. That's what this work is all about."

To learn more, or to arrange an appointment, contact:

Rush Craniofacial Center
Rush University Medical Center
1725 W. Harrison, Suite 425
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 563-3000
Fax: (312) 563-2514
E-mail: jpolley@rush.edu