Midbrain syndrome with eye movement disorder: dramatic improvement after cranioplasty

Patients with skull defects sometimes develop neurological deficits, which have been grouped under "the syndrome of the trephined". The deficits are usually nonspecific or nonlocalizing, such as apathy or diffuse headaches. We report, to our knowledge, a first case of severe midbrain syndrome associated with a skull defect. Cranioplasty dramatically resolved the patient's symptoms. A midbrain syndrome represents the main manifestation of the syndrome of the trephined and can be corrected by cranioplasty.

A 38-year-old man with head trauma and epidural hematoma initially had normal eye motility. He developed a skull defect after infection following cranioplasty. He presented with onset of neurological symptoms one year after head trauma with a skull defect, a small divergent and vertical strabismus, elevation deficit of both eyes, headaches and fatigue. Over several months he developed severe bilateral deficit of adduction, elevation, depression and convergence. He had neuropsychological deficits, fatigue, headaches and impaired coordination. Neuroimaging and lumbar puncture did not show evidence of increased intracranial pressure or hydrocephalus.

Cranioplasty using Palacos was performed one-and-a-half years after trauma. Immediately after surgery, the patient noted remarkable improvement in his symptoms. Headaches and fatigue disappeared within two days. Two weeks after cranioplasty the patient had orthotropia and virtually normal ocular motility. Neurological symptoms completely disappeared. Recovery remained sustained for over 5 years after cranioplasty.

To our knowledge, this represents the first case of the syndrome of the trephined in which the neurological deficits map primarily to the brainstem and show rapid improvement following cranioplasty. We show that cranioplasty in patients with large skull defects is indicated for more then cosmetic reasons and should be considered even after longer periods following a trauma.