Early Bone and Suture Reformations in Different Cranial Regions After Cranial Vault Remodeling for Sagittal Craniosynostosis.

Cranial vault remodeling (CVR) is a common procedure for correcting sagittal craniosynostosis. Some approaches leave significant craniectomy defects. The authors investigated the reosteogenesis in different cranial defect areas after CVR. A cross-sectional study was conducted in nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. Available early postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were analyzed. The segmentation of three-dimensional reconstructed images was performed. Different cranial defect areas, including coronal, vertex, and occipital regions, were further investigated using an automated three-dimensional analysis software for reosteogenesis percentage. Forty-four CT scans were included. The average age at CVR was 8.8 months. The median time of postoperative CT scans was 6.1 weeks. The median bone reformation percentage of the entire cranial defect was 56.7%. Given the similar postoperative CT timing, the median bone reformation at the coronal, vertex, and occipital areas demonstrated 44.21%, 41.13%, and 77.75%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the simultaneously removed coronal and lambdoid sutures, there were 45% with coronal and lambdoid sutures reformation, followed by lambdoid suture reformation alone, no suture reformation and coronal reformation alone in 35%, 20%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.013). There was no coronal reformation in the removed coronal suture group. However, 40% demonstrated lambdoid suture reformation after the isolated lambdoid suture removal. The occipital region has the highest reosteogenesis compared with the other cranial defects after CVR in nonsyndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. Within the removed previous patent sutures, the lambdoid suture reformation showed a higher rate than the coronal suture.

Secondary Raised Intracranial Pressure After Cranial Vault Remodeling for Isolated Sagittal Craniosynostosis.

ABSTRACT: The management of sagittal craniosynostosis has evolved over the decades as teams seek to refine their surgical approaches to idealize head shape with the least possible morbidity. Here, the authors identify the incidence of raised intracranial pressure (ICP) and its risk factors, requiring secondary surgical intervention after cranial vault remodeling (CVR) procedure at a single tertiary referral craniofacial unit. A retrospective case-control study was performed on the patients with isolated non-syndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. All patients who underwent CVR in our unit and had a minimum of 1.5 years follow-up were included. One hundred and eighty-four patients (134 male and 50 female) who underwent primary CVR surgery for isolated sagittal craniosynostosis were included. Thirteen patients (7.07%) had clinical evidence of late raised ICP resulting in repeat CVR procedures. Higher incidence of raised ICP in patients who had primary surgery before 6 months than after or at 6 months of age (P = 0.001). There were 23.5%, 5.6%, 3.2%, and 1.9% of secondary raised ICP patients who underwent the primary surgery between 1999-2004, 2005-2010, 2011-2015 and 2016-2018, respectively (P = 0.024). The risk of secondary raised ICP was higher in patients with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis whose primary surgery occurred before the age of 6 months (two times more likely). More extensive CVR can be performed safely in sagittal synostosis with promising outcomes. The late presentation with raised ICP reinforces the importance of long-term multidisciplinary protocol-based follow-up.

Surgical Implications of the Anteriorly Displaced Segments of the Anterior Cerebral Artery in the Management of Frontoethmoidal Meningoencephalocele.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACAs) is important in the surgical management of frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele (FEME). This would avoid complications related to the loss of blood supply to the part of the brain supplied by the ACA. Previous reports have identified hydrocephalus, microcephaly, cerebral dysplasias amounting to a 15% to 20% prevalence of brain anomalies in patients with FEME. What has not been previously reported are cerebral vasculature changes in the frontal region in FEME and how these may impact on the surgical correction and clinical outcome. METHODS: Two patients of FEME that demonstrate cautionary radiologic findings in relation to the ACAs and anterior fossa anatomy are discussed. RESULTS: The ACA in a 4-year-old boy with FEME was displaced anteriorly with the long A1 segments that extend into the defect. In the 2nd patient, a 4-year-old girl, we report on the complications related to the injury of ACAs from a previously partially resected FEME. CONCLUSION: The importance of the anterior cerebral vasculature around the FEME during surgery is crucial to prevent complications resulting from damage to a looping A1 segment of the ACA.

The use of retrograde limb of internal mammary vein in autologous breast reconstruction with DIEAP flap: anatomical and clinical study.

BACKGROUND: It has been postulated that the abdominal skin may have either predominantly deep or superficial venous drainage. This may account for complications arising from autologous breast reconstruction using the deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEAP) flap. In this study, we evaluate the use of the retrograde limb of the internal mammary vein (IMV) as a second recipient vein in reconstructions with the DIEAP flap. METHODS: In Part A, 10 IMVs were harvested from 5 fresh cadavers and the flow of methylene blue through the retrograde limb and the presence of valves were evaluated under a stereoscopic microscope.In Part B, the clinical outcomes of 38 patients who underwent single or bilateral autologous breast reconstruction using the DIEAP flap technique between January 2007 and March 2011 were reviewed. A total of 48 flaps were evaluated: 31 with single vein anastomosis and 17 with 2-vein anastomosis. RESULTS: In Part A, no valves were identified in the IMVs. In all 10 cadaver IMVs, there was free flow of methylene blue in both antegrade (superior) and retrograde (inferior) directions.In Part B, a retrospective analysis of the 2 patient outcomes was performed. Outcomes assessed included total flap loss, partial flap necrosis, fat necrosis, wound infection, wound dehiscence, and hematoma. Results were compared using a 2-tailed Fisher exact test with a critical P value of 0.05. No statistically significant differences between groups were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The retrograde limb of the IMV seems to be a safe alternate recipient vein in DIEAP and muscle sparing free TRAM autologous breast reconstruction. This study does not identify a significant reduction in overall fat necrosis or overall complications when using the 2 venous repair techniques versus the simple venous repair technique.

Early bone reformation after cranial vault remodelling for sagittal craniosynostosis: A retrospective 3D analysis.

This study aims to measure postoperative bone reformation percentage, rates and patterns after cranial vault remodelling (CVR) in isolated non-syndromic sagittal craniosynostosis. Volumetric bone measurements were performed starting from the DICOM files of previously available postoperative CT scans. The 3D images were then resampled into the master box, and 'Skull 3D models' were derived. The percentage of bone reformation was investigated using automated 3D analysis software. The intra-rater reliability analysis revealed high reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99, p < 0.001). The median bone reformation volume and rate were 11.2 ml and 1.98 ml/week, respectively. The median percentage of bone reformation was 56.7% when the median postoperative CT timing was 6.1 weeks. As a statistic model, the linear plateau showed the highest Pseudo R2 in both volume and percentage of bone reformation predicting patterns. By using the calculated model at 9 weeks postoperatively, the re-osteogenesis reaches 80% of the total cranial defect. After CVR, the early bone reformation pattern was demonstrated as a linear plateau model rather than logarithmic. This study gives a better understanding of the pattern and quantity of re-osteogenesis at cranial defects after CVR. The statistic model can facilitate healthcare practitioners to predict bone reformation and improve postoperative care protocol in sagittal craniosynostosis management.

Propeller DICAP flap for a large defect on the back-case report and review of the literature.

Reconstruction of large soft tissue defects of the back is a challenging problem. Large defects of the back were reconstructed with multiple random pattern or local pedicled muscle (and skin graft) or musculocutaneous flaps. The clinical use of perforator flaps has demonstrated that harvesting of flaps on a single perforator is possible for reconstruction of large defects. We present a 71-year-old male with a lesion on his left mid back that measured 10 × 10 × 4 cm(3) . Biopsy of the lesion was consistent with dermatofibrosarcoma protruberans. Wide local excision of the lesion with 4 cm margin was performed. The soft tissue defect, ~20 cm in diameter, was reconstructed with a large propeller dorsal intercostal artery perforator (DICAP) flap. The DICAP flap measured 40 × 15 cm(2) based on a single perforator-lateral branch of dorsal rami of the seventh posterior intercostal artery on the right side. The perforator flap was elevated at the subfascial level and transposed 180° into the defect. The donor site on the right side of the back was closed directly. This case illustrates the size of the propeller DICAP flap that could be safely harvested on a single perforator from the dorsal rami of the posterior intercostal artery. To our knowledge this is the largest reported pedicled perforator flap harvested on a single perforator on the posterior trunk.

Minimally Invasive, Spring-Assisted Correction of Sagittal Suture Synostosis: Technique, Outcome, and Complications in 83 Cases.

BACKGROUND: This series describes the results of minimally invasive strip craniotomy with additional spring distraction. METHODS: Included are the first 83 consecutive patients who underwent this procedure (January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2014). Outcome parameters were collected prospectively and included surgical parameters and complications, the occurrence of papilledema, skull growth, cephalic index, and photographic scores. RESULTS: Duration of surgery was 63 minutes, 19 percent required blood transfusion, and complications were minor. Postoperative papilledema occurred in two patients (2.4 percent). Head growth increased after insertion of the springs and declined afterward to 0.7 SD, comparable to earlier cohorts in the authors' center. The cephalic index increased from 67 before surgery to 74 after surgery and showed a small decrease during the 4-year follow-up. Photographic scores confirmed the initial improvement and showed a trend to further improvement during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, spring-assisted, minimally invasive strip craniotomy was safe and effective. Results were similar to those from other techniques but with smaller incisions, shorter interventions, reduced blood loss, and a lower incidence of postoperative papilledema. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Bilateral atypical ductal hyperplasia, an incidental finding in gynaecomastia--case report and literature review.

Male breast cancer is a rare disease. Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) in men is much rarer, and bilateral involvement is exceptional. A 20-year-old male presented with bilateral gynaecomastia who underwent subcutaneous mastectomies and histopathology revealed bilateral ADH. At 24 months, completion mastectomies were performed on both sides. The residual breast tissue revealed ADH similar to the initial specimen. ADH in women increases the risk of breast cancer by four to five times. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of bilateral ADH in a gynaecomastia specimen.

Dorsolateral musculocutaneous perforators of posterior intercostal artery: an anatomical study.

BACKGROUND: The posterior intercostal artery (PICA) is divided into four segments, vertebral, costal, intermuscular, and rectus, based on the neurovascular branching pattern. Dorsal branches arise from the vertebral segment. Several musculocutaneous perforators and a lateral branch originate from the costal segment. Musculocutaneous branches arise from the intermuscular and rectus segments. The purpose of this study is to describe in detail the musculocutaneous perforators of the costal segment of the posterior intercostal artery. METHODS: Fresh cadavers were injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture. Intercostal spaces (8-11) were dissected in twelve cadavers (six preserved cadavers and six fresh cadavers). Angiograms were assembled with Adobe Photoshop. Two fresh cadavers underwent CT angiography and three dimensional reconstructions of the intercostal perforators were performed using Materialise's Interactive Medical Image Control System (MIMICS). RESULTS: In twelve cadavers, a total of 356 perforators (size > 0.5 mm) were found to arise from the posterior intercostal arteries in 96 intercostal (IC) spaces. 154 perforators (>0.5 mm) were found in the costal segment of the PICA. An average of 6.4 perforators was found in each hemithorax. All perforators were found within 2 cm of the midscapular line. At least one perforator was found in all intercostal spaces. Two or more perforators were found in 40% of the 8th and 9th IC spaces and 60% of the 10th and 11th IC spaces. Perforators were oriented perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibres of the latissimus dorsi and were usually present one or two intercostal spaces below their origin from the PICA. CONCLUSIONS: Perforators of the costal segment of the PICA are described in detail. We propose to call these currently unnamed musculocutaneous perforators "dorsolateral" branches of the PICA, as they are located between dorsal and lateral branches of PICA.

Three-dimensional analysis of the internal mammary artery perforator flap.

BACKGROUND: The internal mammary artery perforator flap is a versatile flap used for reconstruction of the head and neck. Using dissection, angiograms, and three-dimensional reconstruction, the authors describe the vascular anatomy of the internal mammary perforator arteries, including their course, diameter, location of perforation, and relationship to other tissues (e.g., bone, muscle, and skin). METHODS: Fourteen fresh cadavers were injected with either latex or a lead oxide/gelatin mixture and dissected to show the anatomy of the internal mammary artery perforators. Plain film and computed tomographic angiograms were obtained and analyzed on the lead oxide-injected cadavers. The computed tomographic angiography Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine images were imported into Materialise's Interactive Medical Imaging Control System software to produce three-dimensional reconstructions of the internal mammary artery perforator anatomy. RESULTS: The second internal mammary artery perforator was the dominant perforator in 10 of the 14 cadavers. The mean emerging diameter of the dominant second perforator was 1.0±0.4 mm, with a mean superficial length of 51.8±16.1 mm on the latex-injected and lead oxide-injected cadaver angiograms. The mean distance from the sternal margin to the point of emergence from the internal mammary artery was 7±1.4 mm. The three-dimensional reconstructions demonstrated anastomoses between the dominant perforator and the lateral thoracic artery. CONCLUSIONS: The vascular anatomy of the internal mammary artery perforators was documented using cadaveric dissections, angiograms, and computed tomographic angiograms analyzed with Materialise's Interactive Medical Imaging Control System. The diameter, point of perforation, course, and relationship to surrounding anatomical structures has been shown using a vascular injection technique and three-dimensional reconstructions.