Epidural Fluid Collections After Cranioplasty

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Cranial Reconstruction
• Postoperative Complications

Background:

• Cranioplasty (CP) can lead to complications like infections, seizures, and bone resorption.
• Epidural fluid collections (EFCs) are infrequent findings post-CP, typically resolving spontaneously without neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the experience with symptomatic Epidural Fluid Collections (EFCs) requiring re-operation after cranioplasty.
• To analyze the clinical and radiological findings of these EFCs.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 89 cranioplasty cases over 7 years.
• Detailed analysis of six cases of symptomatic EFCs necessitating re-operation.

Main Results:

• Six cases of symptomatic EFCs requiring re-operation were identified out of 89 cranioplasty procedures.
• EFCs can become symptomatic days after cranioplasty and may require surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

• Epidural fluid collections (EFCs) post-cranioplasty (CP) have distinct pathogenetic mechanisms.
• Symptomatic EFCs can be managed by re-opening the flap or burr hole evacuation.
• Meticulous surgical techniques may reduce the incidence of EFCs.