Article
Imaging of complications after cranioplasty using transcranioplasty ultrasound
Nachweis von Komplikationen nach Kranioplastie durch Ultraschall
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Published: | June 26, 2020 |
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Objective: Recently, we were able to demonstrate that cranioplasty material (in our case Polyether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK)) is lucent for diagnostic ultrasound and enables the investigator to obtain images of the underlying brain. The value of this technique in daily practice has to be proven.
Methods: Eight patients requiring a PEEK-cranioplasty were examined with transcranioplasty ultrasound (TCU) in the postoperative course. High-resolution near-field imaging with frequencies up to 15 MHz was combined with larger views of the whole cranial cavity, using lower frequencies. Images were compared with CT or MRI images acquired on the same day.
Results: In three patients, postoperative complications were observed by TCU. Two patients had extracerebral fluid collections, one patient developed a hydrocephalus. CT imagingconfirmed the results. Moreover, a transcranioplasty navigation procedure could be performed via the burr-hole.
Conclusion: Knowledge about the properties of TCU may be useful for the management of patients after cranioplasty.
Figure 1 [Fig. 1]