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Somatosensory evoked potentials are abnormal with plagiocephaly
Maiju Härmä1, Leena Lauronen2, Junnu Leikola3
1Division of Musculoskeletal and Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
|May 8, 2022
Summary
Cranioplasty surgery for severe deformational plagiocephaly did not improve brain function, as measured by electroencephalogram (EEG) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP). This study led to abandoning surgical interventions for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Deformational plagiocephaly typically resolves with conservative management.
- Surgical intervention (cranioplasty) was previously performed for severe cases with neurological symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of cranioplasty on brain electrophysiology in infants with severe deformational plagiocephaly and neurological symptoms.
- To compare outcomes between surgical and conservative management using electroencephalogram (EEG) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP).
Main Methods:
- A comparative study of 20 infants with severe deformational plagiocephaly and neurological symptoms.
- Ten infants underwent open posterior cranial vault reshaping (cranioplasty).
- Ten infants received conservative management with follow-up; brain electrophysiology (EEG, SEP) was assessed.
Main Results:
- Post-cranioplasty, six of ten operated infants showed abnormal SEP, though normalized post-surgery.
- In the conservative group, eight of ten infants had abnormal SEP at 24 months, with all normalizing by follow-up.
- Cranioplasty did not demonstrate a benefit in normalizing abnormal SEP-EEG recordings.
Conclusions:
- Open reshaping cranioplasty for severe deformational plagiocephaly with neurological symptoms does not improve brain electrophysiology.
- The findings suggest surgical intervention is not beneficial for brain function in this patient population.
- The Helsinki Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center has ceased performing these operations.
