Table Of Cranium Research Articles

"False" migration of rigid fixation appliances in pediatric craniofacial surgery.

Osseous fixation techniques have been widely used to provide rigid stabilization in the craniofacial skeleton. Reported sequelae of its usage has been limited to palpation of the screw-plate system and radiological imaging artifacts. Over the past 3 years we have identified miniplates, microplates, and wire sutures on the inner cranial table of the growing child. The observation of "false" migration of these appliances has provided the impetus to review these patients in more detail. Twenty patients underwent secondary cranial remodeling within a two-year period; 7 of these patients were seen to have "false" migration. There were no untoward sequelae in removal of these appliances, and no adverse neurological symptoms were seen.

Lamellation of the diploe in the skulls of patients with sickle cell anaemia.

This study describes the radiological and pathological findings in a necropsy series of 70 skulls of Nigerian patients with sickle cell gene, and 70 controls matched for sex and age with no sickle cell gene. 6 (35%) of the 17 patients with sickle anaemia, or 17% of 35 patients with sickle cell gene excluding the trait, all under age 10 years, were shown to have bone trabeculae within the diploe arranged in stripes parallel to the curvature of the cranial tables on radiography. Histological examination of the skulls with curvilinear stripes showed long trabeculae of bone within the diploe similarly arranged in parallel rows but joint at variable intervals by short bridges of bone. The radiolucent areas between trabeculae corresponded to areas of marrow hyperplasia. A skull radiograph in an African child presenting with this radiological sign should raise the suspicion of sickel cell disease.

The aging skull: Comparative roentgen study 25 to 34 year interval

Skull radiographs were compared in 72 adults at intervals ranging from 25 to 34 years. It was found that the paranasal sinuses became larger in 100 per cent and the cranial vault in 71 per cent of the cases; the cranial tables became thicker in 64 per cent and an enlargement of the sella turcica was detected in 45 per cent. Occasionally, an osteoporosis of the dorsum sellae was observed on the follow-up study. The findings confirmed a continuous activity of the growth hormone in the aging skull.

THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SEPTIC SINUS THROMBOSIS

Septic invasion of the lateral sinus in its various forms is a comparatively rare complication of purulent otitis media. In view of the comparative thinness of the inner (cranial) table of the temporal bone, areas of which are often bathed with pus or infected exudates for long periods of time, one marvels that proportionately so few intracranial complications occur. Erosions of the inner (visceral) table of the temporal bone may occur at any point, but they are more commonly found in the tegmen and about the knee of the sigmoid sinus. Nevertheless, necrosis of the inner table, even when considerable areas of the dura over the sinus are exposed to the purulent process which invades the mastoid process, is not invariably followed by sepsis within its lumen. Erosions of the inner table, with exposure of the dura, are discovered with comparative frequency during the process of mastoid operations, with no