Cranioplasty #2

[Katewgibbs]

Two year ago - Jan 2017- I received a PMMA 3D printed cranioplasty. The month before I had been hit by a motorbike while on a pedestrian crossing. I had an emergency craniotomy that day, my C5 was broken, I have left side hemianopia and had right side hemiparisis. 2017 was a year of recovery in which I did well; travelled a lot, focused on my academics, began writing again, started with an. Excellent trainer and ended 2018 fitter than I’d ever been.

Then last Monday, I was out for a walk/ run in the countryside and long story short had a blackout and in a confused state got home. After A+E visits, a short hospital stay and going through my history of the last year Neurosurgeons- my original from 2016 and current team- have concluded I’ve actually had seizures. I had another similar incident last august - I felt physically fine, remember saying “I have a weird deja vu feeling” and then nothing but being found on the floor. The common denominator is emotional stress- both times have been after a previous week of busyness and personal emotional stress.

I have however fractured my PMMA cranioplasty and will be having it replaced with a 3D printed titanium prosthesis when it is available, later this month I believe.

Has this happened to anyone else? I am scared now that I have a fractured PMMA cranioplasty in my head and that it could damage my brain- though Neurosurgeons assure me this is not likely. Does anyone else have experience with titanium cranioplasty?

Thank you. Brain injury is a scary, lonely place to be. It is comforting to know I am not alone. Good luck to you all.

Kate

[cat3]

From what I know Kate the acrylic cranioplasty is shaped in such a way that it can't be forced below skull level onto the soft tissue. But, being fractured, it'll need replacing as, unlike continuous bone, it can't heal itself naturally.

Titanium plate is normally the material of choice for cranioplasty surgeons bur the PMMA is becoming popular owing to cost. Titanium has a reputation for durability and, though cosmetically the original bone flap is best, Titanium comes close and has a lower infection rate, but expensive

I only have a Titanium coil to fix a ruptured aneurism but had the virtues of Titanium explained to me by my surgeon and have since read about it and it's use.

I was fortunate in losing consciousness during my bleed meaning no trepidation about the forthcoming procedure, so I feel for you Kate. But trust in your neurosurgeon who'll be using years of experience and expertise to fix you. Please come back after your repair and let us know how you're doing.

All best wishes, Cat x

[Katewgibbs in reply to cat3]

Thank you for your message Cat. I have been truly blessed to have had a fantastic medical and familial support teams around me. My neurosurgeon who did my first cranioplasty is in regular contact - despite bing based in Italy- And is very forthcoming with reassurance. And the Neurosurgeon who will be doing this procedure, I have met just recently. He is fantastic. Again very reassuring, calm, clear and interested in how I’m feeling. They are a very special species!! I will certainly let you all know how it goes ☺️ thank you for the well wishes xx

[cat3 in reply to Katewgibbs]

I see you'll be in excellent hands Kate...…….. in the meantime, some treats and spoiling can be a useful distraction ! See you soon. xx

[sue-66]

My partner has had titanium plate put in July 2017 and has had no problem with it. He has rarely had a headache either. We weren't given much info before hand and sometimes googling can give you too much info, but with Alans experience, its been positive

[Katewgibbs in reply to sue-66]

Hi sue- This is great to hear thank you. Yes Dr Google can sometimes give more info than necessary! But the neuro teams I’ve worked with are all fantastic and incredibly reassuring. I’m happy to hear of your partners experience with titanium. I’ve had PMMA and got used to that, now I’m anxious of how it long I will take to get used to titanium. But I have full faith in neuro team and I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. So I feel positive for what is to come. Thank you and hope your partner continues to do well. Xx