Pre-Planned Cranioplasty Using Computer-Assisted Designed Temporalis Muscle Augmentation in Patients With Decompressive Craniectomy Involving Resection of the Temporalis Muscle

Abstract

Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is the last-resort surgical procedure to reduce intracranial pressure and prevent secondary brain injury. Additional resection of the temporalis muscle and fascia can achieve a higher extracranial herniation volume compared to the standard DC technique at the expense of cosmetic problems for the patients. Various methods have been used to augment temporal fossa hollowing.

Methods: To improve the cosmetic outcome, the authors report a patient who had a skull defect restored using a precisely shaped implant engineered via a computer using the opposite temporalis muscle as a mirror image. Polyether-ether-ketone cranioplasty was performed for the 52-year-old man with temporal hollowing after DC with resection of the temporalis muscle and fascia, due to a ruptured cerebral arteriovenous fistula.

Results: The shape of the patient's surgical side was restored and not asymmetrical. The patient was very satisfied.

Conclusion: In the case of cranioplasty (CP) in patients with DC with resection of the temporalis muscle, CP with implants that include the opposite muscle may increase patient satisfaction without the risk of additional complications.