Zhang R, Gao Z, Zhu YJ, Wang XF, Wang G, He JP. Spontaneous fracture of a titanium mesh cranioplasty implant in a child: A case report.
World J Clin Cases 2023;
11:1593-1599. [PMID:
36926410 PMCID:
PMC10011976 DOI:
10.12998/wjcc.v11.i7.1593]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Titanium mesh cranioplasty is often performed after decompressive craniectomy. Spontaneous fracture of the titanium prosthesis is an extremely rare postoperative complication. Here, we report a 10-year-old boy who presented with a spontaneous fracture of titanium mesh without antecedent head trauma.
CASE SUMMARY
A 10-year-old boy presented with a 1-wk history of a tender bulge over the left temporo-parieto-occipital scalp. He had undergone a temporo-parieto-occipital titanium mesh cranioplasty 26 mo previously. He denied antecedent head trauma. Computerized tomography disclosed a perpendicular fissure in the titanium mesh, suggesting a diagnosis of spontaneous titanium mesh fracture. He underwent a second temporo-parieto-occipital cranioplasty and made an uneventful recovery. Three-dimensional modeling and finite element analyses were used to explore potential risk factors of titanium mesh fracture.
CONCLUSION
We report a case of spontaneous fracture of a titanium mesh cranioplasty implant. The current case and literature review indicate that titanium mesh implants should be well-anchored to the base of bony defects to prevent fatigue-induced fractures.
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