Decompressive Cranioplasty Using Titanium Mesh in a Patient with Osteopetrosis: Case-based Reviews

Background and Importance: 

Osteopetrosis is an inherited disease that causes the thickening of the cranial bone. The need for both cerebral decompression and intracranial volume-enlarging cranioplasty in the same surgical session in a patient suffering from rising intracranial pressure is critical and a very rare decision in neurosurgical practice. The only indication that can lead to this surgery is osteopetrosis.

A 24-year-old female patient with osteopetrosis was admitted with the complaint of severe headache that did not respond to medical treatment, and surgery was decided. After decompressive craniectomy was performed with difficulties, cranioplasty with titanium mesh was performed in the same session to protect the cerebral tissue, close the defect area, and give more space to the cerebral tissue. It was observed that the complaints of increased intracranial pressure were completely resolved in the early postoperative period and the one-year clinical follow-up. The surgical intervention technique and the radiological findings obtained during the follow-up are presented.

Performing cranioplasty with titanium mesh, which is used to protect and save cerebral tissue in patients with osteopetrosis, seems the most appropriate choice.