Introduction: Cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy can be performed with several techniques and materials. With the common use of 3D printing, custom cranioplasty can be produced at affordable cost. Aim of this technical note is to describe our technique for producing patient specific Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cranioplasty using 3D printed silicone moulds.
Materials and Methods:We enrolled seven patients from January 2020 to June 2021 who required surgery for cranioplasty. The 3D printing was used to produce silicone moulds for defining the exact shape of the PMMA cranioplasty, according to the CT scan of the patient.
Results:We performed seven procedures. The mean time of the surgery was 80 min. All cranioplasties perfectly matched the patient specific anatomy. No complications occurred.Conclusions: Using 3D printed patient specific silicone moulds and PMMA resulted to be effective, with affordable costs and ensuring a good cosmetic result.
Background:
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment peripheral neuropathy. Median nerve may present several anatomical variations such as a high division or bifid median nerve (BMN). A thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy and variations of the median nerve at the wrist are fundamental to reduce complications during carpal tunnel release.
Case Description:
A 63-year-old man with CTS underwent preoperative ultrasound that showed the entrapment of the median nerve and disclosed a BMN Lanz IIIA Type anatomical variation at the carpal tunnel. During the surgery, the anatomical variant of a BMN at the wrist has been visualized. Both nervous rami entirely occupied the carpal canal and this may have predisposed to the development of the entrapment syndrome. Nor persistent median artery, or other associated abnormalities, have been identified. At the 6 months follow-up control, the patient referred a good surgical recovery with complete resolution of the preoperative symptoms of the median nerve entrapment.
Conclusion:
A rare case of Lanz IIIA BMN Type at the wrist has been encountered in a patient with a CTS and a systematic review and practical considerations have been presented with the aim of raising awareness to the neurosurgical community of a such rare variant that could be encountered during carpal tunnel release procedures. CTS may be caused by the entrapment of a BMN Lanz IIIA Type anatomical variant of median nerve. Preoperative US would help to identify such patients to reduce risk of iatrogenic injuries.
VIDEO
Transcript 0:20 Case presentationThis video represents the surgical management of an intraorbital intraconal cavernous angioma, located laterally to the optic nerve, in the left side.A 47-year-old man presented with a 6-month history or progressive left exophthalmus. An MRI was performed, showing a spotting enhancing lesion mainly located in the superoexternal quadrant of the orbit, medially displacing the optic nerve, compatible for a cavernous angioma.
Correspondence
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