Paradoxical Brain Herniation after Cranioplasty: Secondary Sunken Flap Syndrome

Decompressive craniectomy is a life-saving procedure done for innumerable etiologies. Though, not a technically demanding procedure, it has its own complications. Among many, sinking flap syndrome or syndrome of the trephined or paradoxical herniation of brain is frequently underestimated. It results from the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the intracranial pressure causing the brain to shift inward at the craniectomy site. This can present with either nonspecific symptoms leading to delay in diagnosis or acute neurological deterioration, memory disturbances, weakness, confusion, lethargy, and sometimes death if not treated. Cranioplasty is a time validated procedure used to treat paradoxical brain herniation with good and early neurological recovery. We, here in, are going to describe a case report in which the paradoxical herniation occurred after cranioplasty which has not been described in literature.

3D printed customised external cranial plate in a patient with syndrome of trephined: ‘a case report’

Background Syndrome of the trephined is a well-recognised phenomenon that occurs in patients following a craniectomy. It is associated with several symptoms, including headaches, motor impairments, cognitive disorders and reduced consciousness. Treatment for the syndrome usually involves replacing the skull defect. Case Study A 71-year-old male underwent a left-sided craniectomy after being diagnosed with biopsy-confirmed invasive squamous cell carcinoma with associated skull erosion. Subsequently, he developed a severe case of syndrome of the trephined (SoT,) resulting in having to lie flat to prevent the motor component of the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) falling from M5/6 (E3/4 Vt M5/6) to M1 (E3/4 Vt M1) on sitting to 30 degrees. Unfortunately, due to ongoing chest sepsis and physical frailty, he was unable to undergo a cranioplasty. Therefore, to aid in clinical stabilisation, the treating physicians and clinical engineering teams designed and manufactured a prosthesis on-site, allowing rapid patient treatment. The prosthesis led to the patient being able to sit up to 30 degrees without the motor component of the GCS falling from M6 to M1 (E4 VT M6). Conclusion Clinical improvements were demonstrated with definitive neurological improvement after applying the external cranial plate in clinical outcome measures and radiographically. Furthermore, we have shown that rapid prototyping technology provides a flexible solution to synthesise bespoke medical prostheses with the correct expertise and regulatory framework.

Syndrome of the trephined: clinical spectrum, risk factors, and impact of cranioplasty on neurologic recovery in a prospective cohort

Syndrome of the trephined (SoT) is an underrecognized complication after decompressive craniectomy. We aimed to investigate SoT incidence, clinical spectrum, risk factors, and the impact of the cranioplasty on neurologic recovery. Patients undergoing a large craniectomy (> 80 cm2) and cranioplasty were prospectively evaluated using modified Rankin score (mRS), cognitive (attention/processing speed, executive function, language, visuospatial), motor (Motricity Index, Jamar dynamometer, postural score, gait assessment), and radiologic evaluation within four days before and after a cranioplasty. The primary outcome was SoT, diagnosed when a neurologic improvement was observed after the cranioplasty. The secondary outcome was a good neurologic outcome (mRS 0–3) 4 days and 90 days after the cranioplasty. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors for SoT and the impact of cranioplasty timing on neurologic recovery. We enrolled 40 patients with a large craniectomy; 26 (65%) developed SoT and improved after the cranioplasty. Brain trauma, hemorrhagic lesions, and shifting of brain structures were associated with SoT. After cranioplasty, a shift towards a good outcome was observed within 4 days (p = 0.025) and persisted at 90 days (p = 0.005). Increasing delay to cranioplasty was associated with decreased odds of improvement when adjusting for age and baseline disability (odds ratio 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.99, p = 0.012). In conclusion, SoT is frequent after craniectomy and interferes with neurologic recovery. High suspicion of SoT should be exercised in patients who fail to progress or have a previous trauma, hemorrhage, or shifting of brain structures. Performing the cranioplasty earlier was associated with improved and quantifiable neurologic recovery.

Cranioplasty

Calvarial defects are commonly encountered after neurosurgical procedures, trauma, and ablative procedures of advanced head neck cancers. The goals of cranioplasty are to provide a protective barrier for the intracranial contents, to restore form, and prevent syndrome of the trephined. Autologous and alloplastic techniques are available, each with their advantages and drawbacks. A multitude of materials are available for cranioplasty, and proper timing of reconstruction with attention to the overlying skin envelope is important in minimizing complications.

Assessment of functional recovery after cranioplasty

Background: Cranioplasty is done after decompressive craniectomy surgeries either for cosmetic reasons or to afford protection against the development of the syndrome of the trephined which is deterioration after cranial decompression procedures. The aim of the study was to study functional recovery after cranioplasty based on improvement of Barthel activities of daily living (ADL) score.Methods: This was a prospective study done over 6 months period, December 2020 to May 2021. The functional recovery following cranioplasty was assessed based on improvement in Barthel ADL score. Pre-operative and post-operative Barthel ADL score after 3 months after cranioplasty of patients are found out. The change in Barthel score is analyzed and significance found out using paired t test.Results: In this study, 62 patients were included. 42 patients had improvement of ADL score. 14 patients had no change and 6 patients had worsening of score. After cranioplasty, ADL score has improved and it was statistically significant (p<0.001). Also, patients with low level of dependency (level 1, 2 and 3) have decreased in number and patients with higher levels of dependency (level 4 and 5) have increased in number after the surgery, suggesting that there is shift of patients from lower level of dependency to higher levels.Conclusions: Cranioplasty seems to offer patients clear benefits in terms of neurological improvement in many cognitive domains as well as in quality of life. Hence, cranioplasty advocated for functional/neurological recovery rather than cosmetic reasons.

Syndrome of the Trephined: Clinical Spectrum, Risk Factors, and Impact of Cranioplasty on Neurological Recovery in a Prospective Cohort

Background: Syndrome of the Trephined (SoT) is an underrecognized complication after decompressive craniectomy. We aimed to investigate SoT incidence, clinical spectrum, risk factors, and the impact of the cranioplasty on neurological recovery.Methods: Patients undergoing a large craniectomy (>80 cm2) and cranioplasty were prospectively evaluated using modified Rankin score (mRS) and cognitive (attention, processing speed, executive function, language, visuospatial neglect), motor (Motricity Index, Jamar dynamometer, postural score, gait assessment), and radiological evaluation within four days before and after cranioplasty. The primary outcome was SoT, diagnosed when a neurological improvement was observed after the cranioplasty. The secondary outcome was good outcome (mRS 0-3) four days and 90 days after the cranioplasty. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors for SoT and the impact of cranioplasty timing on neurological recovery.Results: twenty-six patients (65%) developed SoT and improved after cranioplasty. Brain trauma, hemorrhagic lesions, and shifting of brain structures were associated with SoT. After cranioplasty, a shift towards a good outcome was observed within four days (p=0.025) and persisted at 90 days (p=0.005). Increasing delay to cranioplasty was associated with decreased odds of improvement when adjusting for age and baseline disability (odds ratio 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.99 p=0.012).Conclusions: SoT is frequent after craniectomy and interferes with recovery. A high suspicion of SoT should be exercised in patients who fail to progress or have a previous trauma, hemorrhage, or shifting of brain structures. Performing the cranioplasty earlier was associated with improved and quantifiable neurological recovery.

Abstract P197: Impact of Cranioplasty on Neurological Recovery in Syndrome of the Trephined: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Syndrome of the Trephined (SoT) is a common and underdiagnosed complication after decompressive craniectomy (DC). This study aimed to address the knowledge gap in SoT incidence, risk factors, and the impact of cranioplasty timing on neurological recovery. Methods: In a prospective single-center study we examined 40 consecutive patients that underwent a large DC and cranioplasty for diverse etiologies. The participants underwent a cognitive, motor, and radiological evaluation 1-4 days before and after cranioplasty. SoT was diagnosed when neurological symptoms worsened before cranioplasty (’a priori’) or a neurological improvement was observed after cranioplasty without previous overt symptoms (’a posteriori’). The primary outcome was the occurrence of SoT, and secondary outcome was improvement of disability after cranioplasty (mRS 0-3 as good outcome). We used logistic regression models to assess risk factors for SoT and the impact of cranioplasty timing on neurological recovery. Hemorrhagic lesions were defined as initial brain injury or DC-related intraparenchymal or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Radiologic signs were sinking skin flap, paradoxical midline shift, or slit-like ventricle. Results: Of 40 patients enrolled, 14 (35%) developed ’a priori’ and 12 (30%) ’a posteriori’ SoT. Cranioplasty resulted in mRS improvement in 7 (18%) patients 1-4 days after surgery. A shift towards good outcome was observed 1-4 days post-cranioplasty (62% vs. 42%, p=0.025) and at 90 days (73% vs. 42%, p=0.005) compared to 1-4 days pre-cranioplasty in the SoT group, but not in the non-SoT group. A composite score (0-3) of traumatic brain injury, hemorrhagic lesions, and radiologic markers had 92% sensitivity and 86% specificity to predict SoT. Increasing delay to cranioplasty was associated with decreased odds of disability improvement after cranioplasty, when adjusting for age and baseline disability (OR 0.96, p=0.03). Conclusions: In this prospective study, SoT occurred more frequently than previously reported after DC. Earlier cranioplasty was associated with neurological improvement. A proposed 3-variable score could help predict SoT and better allocate scarce rehabilitation resources by warranting an earlier cranioplasty.