[Resection of orbito-cranial fibrous dysplasia lesion and reconstruction with titanium]

To discuss the method and opportunity of operation for orbito-cranial fibrous dysplasia, and further to summarize our experience in repairing the bony defect with titanium after excision and assess the surgical outcomes.

A retrospective study was performed in 21 patients with visual function damage and/ or orbital malformation, who treated surgically. All patients were underwent CT examinations (coronal, horizontal, sagittal and three-dimensional scans) before surgery. CT image data of patients with serious orbital skull lesions were analyzed by computer to produce the three-dimensional, solid titanium mesh prostheses used to repair the lesions; for smaller lesions solid titanium mesh prostheses were shaped artificially during surgery according to the normal orbit and the cranium. All the patients were treated surgically via craniofacial approach. After removing the diseased tissue, the defective area was repaired by titanium plate and nets.

Of the 21 patients, tumor removal was complete in 18 patients, and incomplete in 3 patients due to extensive invasion into the sious cavernosus. Of the 13 patients with vision impairment before surgery, vision was improved in 11 cases (range from 3 to 5 lines) following surgery. All orbital malformations were healed in these 11 patients.

Patients with fibrous dysplasia should undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible. Where this results in visual dysfunction or orbital-cranial deformities, repairing the bony defect with titanium material has many advantages: it is solid, easily molded, and easily fastened.