Sequential outer table craniotomy a in hyperossified meningioma. Technical note

A hyperossified meningioma with significant calvarial thickening is fairly common. Craniectomy of the involved region followed by cranioplasty is usually required to resect the bone overgrowth. However, in some cases, the hyperossified calvaria is too thick to allow safe penetration with a craniotome or trephine. In this report, the authors present a technique for preserving the outer calvaria while still resecting the majority of the underlying tumor mass. The key is to perform a craniotomy in a region adjacent to the hyperossified bone and to remove the tumorous, ossified inner table through this "window" by means of a high-speed drill. A second craniotomy can then be performed over the undermined area; this maneuver can be advanced and repeated until the tumor is resected. Frameless stereotactic guidance and microplates are useful in performing this procedure.