Delayed Infection Occurring Seventeen Years After Cranioplasty: Are Previously Implanted Materials Permanently Safe?

Crainoplasty following decompressive craniotomy is widely applied clinically. Here, a 55-year-old male had clinical presentation of fever, headache, and ulceration at the anterior scalp of left ear, with 4 to 5 mL pus induction per day, where he accepted cranioplastic surgery 17 years ago using the material of medical silicone rubber. The results of experimental test and magnetic resonance imaging indicated a sign of infection. The authors reported a rarely delayed infection 17 years after cranioplastic surgery. The over long-term risks for the previously transplanted materials should be recognized.