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Sinking skin flap syndrome: a case of improved cerebral blood flow after cranioplasty.

Sinking skin flap syndrome is defined as a series of neurologic symptoms with the skin depression at the site of cranial defect, which develop several weeks to months after large external cerebral decompression.The case of a 28-year-old female with the sinking skin flap syndrome is reported together with the evaluation of cerebral blood flow using xenon computed tomography (CT). Although her general condition stabilized within 7 months after the injury, the skin of the bilateral temporal regions was markedly depressed due to large bone defects. She was confined to bed and showed reduced levels of consciousness. We decided to treat this case by performing cranioplasty with a hydroxyapatite ceramic implant. Not only were good cranial contour reconstructed after cranioplasty, but neurologic conditions were also improved after cranioplasty. Regarding the change in cerebral blood flow in the present case, as measured with xenon CT, the cerebral blood flow 3 days after the injury was 18.7 +/- 12.3 mL/100 mL/min and 26.5 +/- 11.6 mL/100 mL/min in the left and right hemispheres, respectively. After the bilateral cranioplasty, it had increased by approximately 2-fold to 36.4 +/- 23.2 mL/100 mL/min in the left hemisphere and approximately 1.5-fold to 43.8 +/- 23.3 mL/100 mL/min in the right hemisphere as compared with the levels obtained 3 days after the injury.Therefore, xenon CT appears to be useful in the monitoring of regional cerebral blood flow in patients with cranial bone defects that are directly affected by atmospheric pressure and in predicting functional prognosis. For the sinking skin flap syndrome cases, cranioplasty is not only useful for cerebral protection and improvement of appearance, but cranioplasty is also useful for improving neurologic symptoms.

Adult↗

The use of frozen autogenous bone flaps in delayed cranioplasty revisited.

OBJECTIVE: To reevaluate the use of frozen autogenous bone flaps for patients undergoing delayed cranioplasty. METHODS: In the past 12 years, 49 patients have undergone delayed cranioplasty using frozen autogenous bone flaps. Bone flaps removed during the initial operation were sealed in three sterilized vinyl bags and stored at -35 degrees C (n = 37) or -84 degrees C (n = 12) for 4 to 168 days (mean, 50.6 d). The bone flaps were thawed at room temperature and replaced in their original positions. After cranioplasty, we monitored resorption of the bone flaps with computed tomography and evaluated the clinical and aesthetic results. Follow-up periods ranged from 14 to 147 months (mean, 59.2 mo). RESULTS: For 47 patients (95.9%), there were no complications during the follow-up period; there was slight thinning of the bone flap in some cases, but clinical and aesthetic results were highly satisfactory. Resorption was observed for a 12-year-old boy who had undergone cranioplasty, using two pieces of bone flap, 66 days after the initial operation. A 14-year-old boy with a cerebral contusion experienced a bone flap infection. Both patients underwent a second cranioplasty procedure, with ceramic plates. CONCLUSION: The clinical and aesthetic results of delayed cranioplasty using frozen autogenous bone flaps were satisfactory. The most important factor for success was excellent contiguity between the flap and the bone edge.

Adolescent↗

Late infection after cranioplasty--review of 14 cases.

The incidence of late infection after cranioplasty was studied in 130 patients with 133 cranioplasties. The materials used were prefabricated resin in 62 cases, autogenic bone in 38, intraoperatively fashioned resin in 25, and vitallium in eight. Six infections were documented, for an infection rate of 4.5%. In addition to these six cases, we studied eight patients with infections who had undergone cranioplasty elsewhere but had the infected plates removed in our hospitals. Among the 14 cases of infection, the intervals between cranioplasty and plate removal were 3 to 43 months (average, 10.5 months). The eight patients referred from other hospitals had a significantly shorter average interval between external decompression and cranioplasty than did patients who did not develop infection (2.6 versus 6.7 months; p less than 0.005). Systemic signs were mild despite obvious local signs of infection. Of the 11 first infections, nine (82%) were associated with discharge of pus from a fistula; in these cases a galeal suture had become infected apparently through scratching by the patients. In contrast, in the three patients who had had a previous infection, the second infection manifested as subgaleal and epidural empyema or meningitis without a fistula or pus discharge. Nine infections (69%) were due to Staphylococcus. All but two patients required removal of the infected plates. One recovered with conservative therapy and one died of meningitis, giving a mortality rate of 0.8%. No matter how mild the systemic signs, late infection warrants surgical debridement and plate removal. The risk factors for late infection of cranioplasty are discussed.

Adolescent↗

[Cranioplasty using the patient's autogenous bone preserved by freezing--an examination of post-operative infection rates].

The current technique for cranioplasty using artificial bone requires further improvement with regard to infection, strength and comfort through good fitting. We have carried out cranioplasty using the patient's autogenous bone flap obtained during first surgery. It was immersed in 200 mg of Amikacin Sulphate, and frozen at -16 degrees C until its use in cranioplasty. From 1980 to 1998, cranioplasty has been carried out on 206 patients. They consisted of 118 males and 88 females, and their age ranged in our institute from 1 to 81; average age 51.1. Ruptured aneurysm (48%), head injury (14%), intracranial hemorrhage (23%) and cerebral infarction (12%) were the major causes requiring decompression surgery. We analyse the bone preservation period and the time between cranioplasty and the onset of infection. The infection rates per bone preservation periods, the causes of decompression and age groups are studied. Of the 208 case studies, infection necessitating bone removal or debridement was noted in 8 cases (3.88%). Average bone preservation period in the infected group was 31.1 days as compared with 54.9 days for the non-infected group (p < 0.05). Not patient age but the type of head injury is also a significant factor in post cranioplasty infection.

Adolescent↗

[Late results of cranioplasty using explants in children].

The work is based on the analysis of 101 clinical cases in 91 of which children were subjected to cranioplasty in different periods after operation for craniocerebral injury, which terminated in the formation of a bone defect. In 5 children cranioplasty was conducted because the bone in the area of the linear fracture had resorbed, and in another 5 children it was carried out as a final stage of operation for anterior craniocerebral herniations. The children's age ranged from 3 months to 16 years. The late results of treatment were studied in 79 of 101 patients in follow-up periods of 12 months to 25 years, in 31 of them in periods of 10 to 25 years after cranioplasty. Cranioplasty must be undertaken in children as early as possible. Primary and early cranioplasty are conductive to the prevention of the formation of a meningocerebral cicatrix and a coarse adhesive process in the meninges and brain matter and are more effective than late cranioplasty.

Adolescent↗

[Cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy--analysis of 300 cases (author's transl)].

Three hundred cases of cranioplasty, following large decompressive craniectomy for various diseases, were analyzed. 1. Neurological status was evaluated before and after cranioplasty in 52 patients with remaining neurological deficit. There observed no changes in 13 patients with skin flap of full or bulging type. However, 4 (10%) among 39 patients with skin flap of sinking or flat type showed unquestionable objective improvement within a few days following cranioplasty, after stationary period of more than 2 and half months. In these situation, placement of acrylic plate has presumably corrected deformity of underlying brain tissue secondary to pressure gradient between extra- and intracranial spaces, which might have unidentifiably caused unfavorable eflects on neural function. 2. Seven children underwent procedure within 24 months of age and all of them had troublesome bluging of skin flap. This deformity was extreme in 5, in whom the dura mater was not repaired in the previous surgery. Those children had various intracranial problems as causes of bulging skin flap-hydrocephaly in 2, porencephaly in 1, CSF collection under the skin flap in 4, brain migration in 2, enlarged subarachnoid space over the bulging brain surface in 2, deformity of the skull resembling growing skull fracture in 5; and as complications of cranioplasty in 3 and infection in 2. 3. Fracture of the cranioplasty was seen in 7 (2%) among 300 cases and 6 of them were under the age of 7. In one case, there occurred 3 episodes of fracture. 4. Infected cranioplasty, in all as epidural empyema, was seen in 10 (3%) of 300 cases. One of the most important factors related to infection, was the time interval after the primary surgery; all infected cases were operated on within 3 months.

Adolescent↗

CT perfusion imaging in the syndrome of the sinking skin flap before and after cranioplasty.

The syndrome of the sinking skin flap (SSSF) has been described as one of the causes of neurological deficits after decompressive craniectomy We report a case of a 57-year-old woman with SSSF. Two years earlier, this patient, with no neurological deficits, underwent removal of the bone flap during treatment of an epidural abscess due to wound infection after a clipping operation for a ruptured aneurysm. The patient, who subsequently developed a sinking skin flap, gradually presented with gait disturbance and poor activity around 1 year before she came to our facility. On admission, neurological examination showed left hemiparesis and mild confusion. Cranioplasty with titanium mesh plate was performed. The cerebral blood flow (CBF) value in CT perfusion imaging in the symptomatic hemisphere increased from 23 to 31 cm3/100 g/min, and the value in the contralateral side increased from 37 to 41 cm3/100 g/min after cranioplasty. CT perfusion imaging after cranioplasty revealed the improvement of cerebral blood flow not only on the symptomatic side but also on the contralateral side. The patient recovered well and was discharged without hemiparesis and confusion 2 weeks after cranioplasty. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of SSSF examined with CT perfusion imaging before and after cranioplasty.

Cerebrovascular Circulation↗

Cranioplasty with auto-purified bone flap after infection.

Cranioplasty of cranial bone defects can generally be accomplished with autogeneous bones as well as with nonbiological materials. Autologous living-bone grafts are ideal but require sacrifice of donor bone, and synthetic materials might have possible exposure of the materials, delayed infection, and/or allergic reaction. The authors report cranioplasty with a bone graft after auto-purification by subcutaneous preservation of the contaminated bone fragment. A 47-year-old man was given a frontal cranioplasty with a split parietal bone and rib. Epidural abscess ensued, and debridement was performed to control the infection. The largest bone fragment was subcutaneously preserved in the chest wall and reused for cranioplasty. Subcutaneous preservation of bone is a promising strategy for cranioplasty after neurosurgery. The condition of the bone fragment can be inferred from the condition of the site at which it is preserved. If the bone flap is contaminated, it can be purified by the patient's immune system.

Frontal Bone↗

Dynamics of cerebral blood flow and metabolism in patients with cranioplasty as evaluated by 133Xe CT and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged improvement in neurological and mental disorders has been seen after only cranioplasty in patients initially treated with external decompression for high intracranial pressure. The objective was to evaluate, using 133Xe CT and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), how restoring the bone itself can influence cerebral blood flow and cerebral energy metabolism after high intracranial pressure is attenuated. METHODS: Seven patients (45-65 years old) who had undergone external decompression to prevent uncontrollable intracranial hypertension after acute subarachnoid haemorrhage were evaluated. Cerebral blood flow and metabolic changes were evaluated before and after cranioplasty. RESULTS: The ratio of phosphocreatine to inorganic phosphate (PCr/Pi), which is a sensitive index of cerebral energy depletion, was calculated and beta-ATP was measured. The cerebral blood flow value in the thalamus was normalised, from 44 (SD 9) to 56 (SD 8) ml/100 g/min (P < 0.01) and the value in the hemisphere increased from 26 (SD 3) to 29 (SD 4) ml/100 g/min on the side with the bone defect. The PCr/Pi ratio improved greatly from 2.53 (SD 0.45) to 3.01 (SD 0.24) (P < 0.01). On the normal side, the values of cerebral blood flow and PCr/Pi increased significantly (P < 0.01) after cranioplasty, possibly due to transneural suppression. The pH of brain tissue was unchanged bilaterally after cranioplasty. CONCLUSION: Cranioplasty should be carried out as soon as oedema has disappeared, because a bone defect itself may decrease cerebral blood flow and disturb energy metabolism.

Aged↗

Cranioplasty: a review of 1030 cases of penetrating head injury.

A total of 491 cranioplasties performed in a population of 1030 cases of penetrating head injury are reviewed. The morbidity rate was 5.5%, and the mortality rate was 0.2%. The clinical criteria of improving cosmetic defects and restoring craniocerebral protection are established, based on the location and size of the skull defect. Cranioplasty after penetrating head injury should be deferred for a minimum of 1 year to control morbidity. Complication of the original injury and surgical debridement increase the morbidity rate of cranioplasty. Post-traumatic epilepsy is not related to skull defects per se; neither is it affected by cranioplasty. Acrylic is an acceptable cranioplasty material if there is strict adherence to good surgical technique.

Acrylic Resins↗

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane for prevention of adhesions in patients undergoing external decompression and subsequent cranioplasty.

Cranioplasty performed after external decompression for brain swelling may be difficult because of the development of adhesions between the temporal muscle and the dura. Membranes composed of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) were inserted at external decompression to prevent such adhesions. The ePTFE membranes were placed suturelessly between the temporal muscle and the dura, covering the proximal portion of the temporal muscle at the sphenoidal ridge and the dural suture line. In addition, part of the membrane was placed directly below the skin incision to allow easy visualization at subsequent cranioplasty in 10 patients. Cranioplasty was performed 38 to 126 days (mean 63.9 days) after external decompression. No adhesions were observed, either between the ePTFE membranes and the dura, or between the membranes and the temporal muscle. No temporal muscle and dural injuries occurred during cranioplasty, and no patient showed signs of infection. Mean operating time was 71.0 minutes and mean blood loss was 75.2 ml. Sutureless insertion of ePTFE membranes at external decompression increases the ease and safety of subsequent cranioplasty, decreases operating time and blood loss, and avoids injury to the temporal muscle and dura.

Adult↗

Effect of cranioplasty on cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics in patients with the syndrome of the trephined.

Forty patients with cranial bone defects after craniectomy underwent extensive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hydrodynamic investigations by means of a CSF infusion test before and after cranioplasty. The results of these investigations were related to the clinical signs of the patients before and after cranioplasty and to the size and location of the skull bone defect. Twenty-two patients were considered to have "the syndrome of the trephined" (ST). The remaining patients were either free of symptoms or had symptoms not related to ST. CSF hydrodynamic variables that were changed before and normalized after cranioplasty include the following: Resting pressure, sagittal sinus pressure, buffer volume, elastance at resting pressure and pulse variations at resting pressure. The changes were statistically significant mainly in ST patients who were also relieved of their symptoms after cranioplasty.

Adult↗

Stainless steel wire mesh cranioplasty: ten years' experience with 183 patients (100 followed up).

We have executed 183 cranioplasties in order to repair cranial defects using stainless steel wire mesh over a period of a decade, using Gardner's technique with minor modifications. The follow-up was possible in 100 patients and it ranged from 4 to 134 months, with an average of 64.1 months (5.3 years). Among these, 8 patients developed postoperative complications (8%): 7 needed cranioplasty remotion (7%) and 1 needed cranioplasty revision without remotion (1%). The causes of morbidity were due to: infection (3%), CSF leak (1%), haematoma (1%), skin local soaking (1%), posttraumatic plastic dislodgement (2%). Our total morbidity rate (8%) may compare with that resulting from the use of different materials such as alloplastics (6-12%), osteoplastics (until 40%) and miscellaneous (5.5%). The group in which cranioplasty was done within six months following the first operation had our highest complication rate (18.2%). In our experience the stainless steel wire mesh was shown to be an effective material to repair cranial defects.

Adolescent↗

Cranioplasty with individual carbon fibre reinforced polymere (CFRP) medical grade implants based on CAD/CAM technique.

BACKGROUND: The authors present a new method for the reconstruction of large or complex-formed cranial bone defects using prefabricated, computer-generated, individual CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastics) medical grade implants. METHOD: CFRP is a composite material containing carbon fibres embedded in an epoxy resin matrix. It is radiolucent, heat-resistant, extremely strong and light (its weight is 20% that of steel), has a modulus of elasticity close to that of bone, and an established biocompatibility. The utilisation of a CAD/CAM (computer aided design/computer aided manufacture) technique based on digitised computed tomography (CT) data, with stereolithographic modelling as intermediate step, enabled the production of individual, prefabricated CFRP medical grade implants with an arithmetical maximum aberration in extension of less than +/-0.25 mm. Between 1995 and February 2002, 29 patients (15 men and 14 women; mean age, 39.9 years; range, 16 to 67 years) underwent cranioplasty with CFRP medical grade implants at the neurosurgical department of the University of Vienna. Twenty-four patients were repaired secondarily (delayed cranioplasty) while 5 were repaired immediately following craniectomy (single stage cranioplasty). All cases were assessed for the accuracy of the intra-operative fit of the implant, restoration of the natural skull contour and aesthetics and adverse symptoms. FINDINGS: The intra-operative fit was excellent in 93.1% and good in 6.9% of the implants. In two cases minor adjustments of the bony margin of the defect were required. The operating time for insertion ranged from 16 to 38 minutes, median 21 minutes. Postoperatively, 86.2% of the patients graded the restoration of their natural skull shape and symmetry as excellent while 13.8% termed it good. In one patient a non-space occupying subdural hygroma was found at the follow-up, but required no intervention. Two patients experienced atrophy of the frontal portion of the temporal muscle while one patient had a transient palsy of the frontal branch of the facial nerve. Over the mean follow-up period of 3.3 years (range, 0.08 to 6.8 years), there were no adverse reactions and no plate had to be removed. INTERPRETATION: Individual, prefabricated CFRP medical grade implants may be considered as an alternative to conventionally utilised materials for cranioplasty, in particular in the challenging group of patients with extensive cranial defects or more complex-formed defects of the fronto-orbital or temporo-zygomatic region, guaranteeing short operating times and excellent functional and aesthetic results, which justifies the expense of their production.

Adolescent↗

Cranioplasty using acrylic material: a new technical procedure.

AIM: Today, cranioplasty is performed using different procedures. Numerous materials may be used to reconstruct the cranial vault including autologous bone and different types of synthetic resins. When plastic materials are used, the main requirement for an effective cranioplasty is the preoperative shaping of the implant to fit the bony defect precisely. In this paper, experience with a new method for cranioplasty using an acrylic cranial implant is presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this new technical procedure an acrylic implant, precisely shaped to the defect, is fabricated preoperatively using CT data. The study consists of 15 cases in whom cranioplasty was performed using this method. In all these, reconstruction was at least 3 months after the initial operation that lead to the cranial bony defect. RESULTS: No major complications occurred and the final functional and aesthetic results were good in all cases. The acrylic implant manufacture does not require the use of complex computer interface software or high-tech equipment, but involves simple, cheap, repeatable processes.

Adult↗

Cranioplasty: cosmetic or therapeutic?

Cranioplasty is among the oldest surgical procedures. Trauma, infections, tumors and compression caused by brain edema are some of the reasons for the removal of bone. The indications for cranioplasty after resolution of the primary process that led to the bone defect were never well defined, and many were the "cosmetic" indications for cranioplasty. However, there are many theories suggesting that an underlying physiological alteration may occur which may require the correction of the bone defect; many patients improve after surgery. We discuss the physiopathological basis of the "syndrome of the trephined" and try to achieve a better understanding of the present status of cranioplasty and its possible therapeutic role.

Brain Injuries↗

Cranioplasty: indications, technique, and early results of autogenous split skull cranial vault reconstruction.

Since 1990, fresh autogenous split skull cranioplasty has been the preferred method of reconstructing complicated cranial defects at the Sunnybrook Hospital. Eight cases of split skull cranioplasties were reviewed to illustrate the indications and technical considerations of the procedure. Clinical factors believed to be detrimental to the outcome of split skull cranioplasty were identified by: 1) a history of an infected, failed, previous cranial reconstruction, 2) inadequate scalp or skin to cover the external surface of an anticipated skeletal vault reconstruction, 3) the communication of adjacent paranasal sinuses with the epidural space, 4) the presence of an avascular dead space posterior to the reconstructed cranium. These potentially negative influences were systematically addressed as part of the surgical routine in autogenous split skull cranioplasty.

Adult↗

In situ cranioplasty with methylmethacrylate and wire lattice.

Most techniques of cranioplasty are expensive and require advance preparation if a custom-moulded prosthesis is to be used. Technical problems with cranioplasties using synthetic materials include sinking, elevation and rotation, while those with hydroxyapatite or bone graft cranioplasties include resorption and harvest site disfigurement. We report our technique of in situ cranioplasty using methylmethacrylate and a wire lattice that is fast, inexpensive and avoids these technical problems.

Bone Wires↗