Epidermoid Cyst of Orbit Requiring Cranialization of Frontal Sinus.

How often do intracranial epidermoid cysts occur?Is a coronary incision necessary?What are the steps of the procedure, difficulties encountered, and process for circumventing those difficulties?What is the follow-up protocol and outcome?

Usefulness of customized titanium plates for midface contouring surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: In our department, we have been performing bone reconstructions on a case-by-case basis using vascularized free tissue transfers and custom-made artificial bones (HA). While these procedures have specific advantages, they are also limited in terms of the invasiveness as well as the stability and strength of implants. In the present study, we describe the use of a CTP to achieve minimally invasive midface plastic surgery with the superior moldability of a 3D structure and reliable stability compared to the use of autologous tissue. CASE PRESENTATION: A total of three patients were included in the study. The patients (all female, ages: 66, 18, and 35 years) had bone malformation or hemifacial microsomia following surgery for maxillary cancer or multiple facial fractures. Based on DICOM data from preoperative CT, 3D models were created on a computer using CAD/CAM techniques. The models were compared in simulations to determine the optimal structure. These 3D models were used in additive manufacturing systems to create custom-made titanium alloy plates for facial reconstruction. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Although the amount of soft tissue was insufficient in some cases, all patients were able to maintain the desired morphology without developing any complications such as infections, significant soft tissue atrophy, or implant failure. CONCLUSION: Our CTP model created by CAD/CAM was effective in contouring surgery of the midface as it had the superior stability and biocompatibility of titanium. Changes to the soft tissue should also be considered in order to further improve the procedure.

Influence of Periosteum Location on the Bone and Cartilage in Tissue-Engineered Phalanx.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the influence of periosteal tissue of different origins on the calcification at the diaphysis and chondrocyte maturation at the epiphysis in an engineered phalanx. We hypothesized that the periosteum from long bones would better provide donor cells for bone formation and signals for maturation of the joint cartilage. METHODS: Periosteum was harvested from 4 locations (cranium, mandible, radius, and ilium) of calf bones. A human phalangeal bone-shaped, biodegradable, 3-dimensional scaffold hydroxyapatite-poly L-lactic-ɛ-caprolactone (HA-P[LA/CL]) was prepared using a human phalangeal bone-shaped template. A bioengineered human phalanx was fabricated by combining periosteal grafts with biodegradable copolymers. The joint cartilage region (chondrocyte/polyglycolic acid [PGA] composite) was subsequently sutured to the phalangeal bone region (periosteum/HA-P[LA/CL] composite) with absorbable sutures to make a human phalangeal bone model. These were then implanted in nude mice for maturation of the constructs. Macroscopic, radiographic, histological, and immune-histochemical evaluations were carried out to determine the relative influence of the periosteal graft source on bone and cartilage formation at 10 and 20 weeks after implantation. RESULTS: Calcification localized under the periosteum was noted in the cranium, radius, and ilium groups after 10 weeks, which markedly expanded at the modelled diaphysis after 20 weeks. The width in the minor axis direction tended to increase with time after grafting in the cranium group, whereas the longitudinal length increased in the radius and ilium groups. The joint cartilage thickness changed with time depending on the type of periosteum, and periosteum collected from the radius and ilium was associated with the greatest cartilage thickness in the joint cartilage maturation process. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that periosteum collected from radius of calves demonstrated superior bone formation and chondrocyte maturation in the engineered phalanx compared with other sources of periosteum. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The osteogenic capacity depends on the periosteal source regardless of intramembranous or endochondral ossification. The appropriate periosteal choice is essential in the phalangeal bone and cartilage tissue engineering. The results are important for broadening tissue engineering possibilities for clinical application.

Involvement of inward upper eyelid push on the lower eyelid during eyelid closure in development of involutional lower eyelid entropion.

PURPOSE: To examine whether an inward upper eyelid push on the lower eyelid margin during eyelid closure is involved in involutional lower eyelid entropion. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 34 sides from 27 patients with involutional lower eyelid entropion. The positional relationship between the upper and the affected lower eyelid margins during eyelid closure were examined before and after posterior layer advancement of the lower eyelid retractors. In addition, we preoperatively examined whether the affected lower eyelid turned in during a voluntary maximum force eyelid closure from the normal position. We then held the upper eyelid away from the lower eyelid during a voluntary maximum force eyelid closure to eliminate the influence of an inward upper eyelid push on the lower eyelid margin. At the time, we investigated whether the affected lower eyelid turned in. All these examinations were performed from the normal lower eyelid position. RESULTS: Although the upper eyelid margin was on the lower eyelid margin before surgery, this was corrected after surgery in all patients. All affected lower eyelids turned in after voluntary maximum force eyelid closure. However, the lower eyelid margin did not show an inward rotation with holding of the upper eyelid away from the lower eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an inward upper eyelid push on the lower eyelid is involved in development of an involutional lower eyelid entropion.

Image analysis of the inferior rectus muscle in orbital floor fracture using cine mode magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: The main cause of diplopia induced by orbital floor fracture is strangulation or damage of the extraocular muscles, and the outcome varies depending on the severity of trauma. In this study, we evaluated the dynamics of the eyeball and inferior rectus muscle based on cine magnetic resonance (MR) images acquired before surgery. The preoperative images and outcomes were retrospectively investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The subjects were 20 patients with orbital floor fracture. The patients repeated upgaze and downgaze, and images of these were acquired using cine mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Image series were obtained in the sagittal direction including the eyeball and long axis of the optic nerve. The eyeball rotation angle, strangulation, and morphology of the inferior rectus muscle were evaluated in each phase. RESULTS: On cine mode MRI, the outcome was poor in cases with a maximal inferior rectus muscle thickness of 5 mm or greater on extension (two or more times thicker than on the healthy side). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the development of sequelae can be predicted by preoperative image analysis using cine MRI, which may be beneficial to help surgeons understand the mechanism of contracture.