Use of a titanium mesh for cranioplasty following radical rostrotentorial craniectomy to remove an ossifying fibroma in a dog

Abstract

Findings suggested that rostrotentorial craniectomy is a viable option for removal of benign tumors affecting the parietal bones in dogs. Reconstruction of the resulting defect in the calvarium is possible with a combination of porcine submucosa and rigid titanium mesh.

Cranioplasty Using Titanium Mesh After Skull Tumor Resection in Five Dogs

“…A previous single case report documented the use of titanium mesh for cranioplasty after resection of a large skull tumor where the mesh was secured to the skull with titanium screws . Titanium mesh and screws have also been used in dogs to reconstruct defects created with foramen magnum decompression .…”

“…Craniectomy with cranioplasty has been described in dogs with tumors of the skull . Surgical excision of primary bone tumors of the skull or soft tissue tumors that have invaded bone reportedly requires resection of the lesion with bone margins of 1–2 cm .…”

“…The selection of the appropriate implant for cranioplasty requires the material to be flexible, inert, robust, and non‐migratory, and not interfere with postoperative image acquisition or interpretation. Cranioplasty in dogs after resection of large tumors of the skull have used polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), allograft bone, porcine small intestinal submucosal (PSIS) graft, and titanium mesh . Titanium mesh is malleable yet rigid, has a low profile, is biocompatible with incitation of minimal inflammatory reaction, and is not associated with postoperative complications or infection in dogs .…”

“…In light of limited literature on use and outcomes of cranioplasty in dogs using titanium mesh, the aim of this report was to describe the clinical details, surgical application, postoperative imaging, and short to mid‐term outcome of 5 dogs undergoing cranioplasty with titanium mesh.…”

Radical maxillectomy as a successful treatment for gunshot-induced maxillary and nasal cavity trauma in a dog

“…There are a few reports in the veterinary literature of the use of reconstructive techniques involving bone plate fracture fixation in cases of maxillary fractures (10)(11)(12). Reports also exist of reconstruction of craniofacial defects in dogs through the use of bone grafts (autograft or allograft), muscle transposition techniques, mesh grafts, and bone cement (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Utilization of these surgical techniques may not be applicable to all veterinary patients at this time due to the requirement for highly specialized materials and advanced surgical technical procedures.…”