• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2005

Objective : This paper describes our experience and implant technique for cranioplasty of a large cranial defects using a porous polyethylene implant[Medpor] and compares the results with polymethylmethacrylate[PMMA]. Methods : Sixteen cranioplasties were performed using Medpor[n= 10] and PMMA[n=6] implants between June 2003 and January 2005. The criterion for patient enrollment was a defect larger than 10cm in diameter. This study compared the operation times and complications. Results : The operation times ranged from 105 to 250minutes[Mean $180^{\circ}{\pm}44minutes$) in Medpor and from 185 to 460minutes [mean 128minutes] in PMMA. The absolute operation times were shorter using the Medpor implant and the differences were statistically significant[P=0.030]. Satisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all cases using the Medpor implant and with no implant-related complications. Bone ingrowth to the medpor implant was presumed to be the result on an increase in Houndsfield units of the implant, particularly at the marginal areas in the serial follow-up brain computed tomography images. Conclusion : It is believed that the properties of a Medpor implant make this implant an good alternative to the existing methods of a cranial contour correction. However, a further follow-up study will be needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2013

Background Intractable chronic scalp ulcers with cranial bone exposure can occur along the incision after cranioplasty, posing challenges for clinicians. They occur as a result of severe scarring, poor blood circulation of the scalp, and focal osteomyelitis. We successfully repaired these scalp ulcers using a vascularized bipedicled pericranial flap after complete debridement. Methods Six patients who underwent cranioplasty had chronic ulcers where the cranial bone, with or without the metal plate, was exposed along the incision line. After completely excising the ulcer and the adjacent scar tissue, subgaleal dissection was performed. We removed the osteomyelitic calvarial bone, the exposed metal plate, and granulation tissue. A bipedicled pericranial flap was elevated to cover the defect between the bone graft or prosthesis and the normal cranial bone. It was transposed to the defect site and fixed using an absorbable suture. Scalp flaps were bilaterally advanced after relaxation incisions on the galea, and were closed without tension. Results All the surgical wounds were completely healed with an improved aesthetic outcome, and there were no notable complications during a mean follow-up period of seven months. Conclusions A bipedicled pericranial flap is vascularized, prompting wound healing without donor site morbidity. This may be an effective modality for treating chronic scalp ulcer accompanied by the exposure of the cranial bone after cranioplasty.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.541-546
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• 2012

Objective : The prefabrication of customized cranioplastic implants has been introduced to overcome the difficulties of intra-operative implant molding. The authors present a new technique, which consists of the prefabrication of implant molds using three-dimensional (3D) printers and polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) casting. Methods : A total of 16 patients with large skull defects (>100 $cm^2$) underwent cranioplasty between November 2009 and April 2011. For unilateral cranial defects, 3D images of the skull were obtained from preoperative axial 1-mm spiral computed tomography (CT) scans. The image of the implant was generated by a digital subtraction mirror-imaging process using the normal side of the cranium as a model. For bilateral cranial defects, precraniectomy routine spiral CT scan data were merged with postcraniectomy 3D CT images following a smoothing process. Prefabrication of the mold was performed by the 3D printer. Intraoperatively, the PMMA implant was created with the prefabricated mold, and fit into the cranial defect. Results : The median operation time was $184.36{\pm}26.07$ minutes. Postoperative CT scans showed excellent restoration of the symmetrical contours and curvature of the cranium in all cases. The median follow-up period was 23 months (range, 14-28 months). Postoperative infection was developed in one case (6.2%) who had an open wound defect previously. Conclusion : Customized cranioplasty PMMA implants using 3D printer may be a useful technique for the reconstruction of various cranial defects.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2023

Patients with Crouzon syndrome have increased risks of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and meningoencephalocele after LeFort III osteotomy. We report a rare case of meningoencephalocele following LeFort III midface advancement in a patient with Crouzon syndrome. Over 10 years since it was incidentally found during transnasal endoscopic orbital decompression, the untreated meningoencephalocele eventually led to intermittent clear nasal discharge, frontal headache, and seizure. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated meningoencephalocele in the left frontal-ethmoid-maxillary sinus through a focal defect of the anterior cranial base. Through bifrontal craniotomy, the meningoencephalocele was removed and the anterior cranial base was reconstructed with a pericranial flap and split calvarial bone graft. Secondary frontal advancement was concurrently performed to relieve suspicious increased intracranial pressure, limit visual deterioration, and improve the forehead shape. Surgeons should be aware that patients with Crouzon syndrome have the potential for an unrecognized dural injury during LeFort III osteotomy due to anatomical differences such as inferior displacement and thinning of the anterior cranial base.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.417-433
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• 2006

Purpose : Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous material with many growth factors, such as BMPs, PDGF, $TGF-{\beta}_1$, $TGF-{\beta}_2$, VEGF, and IGF, facilitating bone healing process. The prominent osteoconductive activity and the biodegradable nature of beta-tricalciumphosphate (${\beta}-TCP$) for bone grafts in animal experiments have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PRP on the osteogenesis of ${\beta}-TCP$. Materials & Methods : Two artificial calvarial bone defects were made in 32 rabbits which were divided into 2 groups. In one group of 16 rabbits, autogenous bone / ${\beta}-TCP$ was grafted on each side of cranial bone defect. In the other group of 16 rabbits, mixture of ${\beta}-TCP$ and PRP / PRP alone was grafted on each side of the cranial bone defect. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. The specimens were harvested and examined histologically and immunohistochemically by the expression of BMP2/4/7, PDGF, VEGF and $TGF-{\beta}_1$. Results : The mean volume of new bone formation was significantly higher at 4, 8, 12 weeks in autogenous graft than that in ${\beta}-TCP$. The BMP2/4 expression was significantly higher at 4 weeks in autogenous bone graft and at 4 weeks in mixture of ${\beta}-TCP$ and PRP and at 12 weeks in ${\beta}-TCP$. The expression of BMP7, PDGF, VEGF and $TGF-{\beta}_1$ showed no significant difference in autogenous, ${\beta}-TCP$, mixture of ${\beta}-TCP$ and PRP, and PRP alone during grafted bone regeneration. Conclusion : The results showed that PRP had no additional value in promoting healing process of ${\beta}-TCP$ grafts.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2003

Effects of repeated treatment with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) on the induction of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and teratogenicity of cyclophosphamide were investigated in rats. Pregnant rats were orally treated with BHA (50 mg/kg) for 7 days, from days 6 to 12 of gestation, and intraperitoneally challenged with cyclophosphamide (15 mg/kg) 2 hr after the final treatment. On day 20 of gestation, the maternal and fetal abnormalities were examined. Separately, a part of rats was sacrificed for the assay of hepatic and placental GSTs activities on day 12 of gestation following 7-day treatment with BHA. Cyclophosphamide, administered on day 12 of gestation, induced 43.2% of fetal death and resorption, and 100% of malformations in live fetuses, in contrast to low fetal resorption (8.7%) and malformations (8%) in control group. The malformations include cranial defect and exencephaly (100%), micrognathia and tongue extrusion (100%), limb defects (40%), renal pelvic dilatation (39%), and cleft palate (15%). Interestingly, BHA induced GSTs activities by 62% and 46% over the control in liver and placenta, respectively, and remarkably reduced the fetal resorption (13.9%) and malformations, resulting in 62% of cranial defect and exencephaly, 68% of micrognathia and tongue extrusion, 29% of limb defects, and 14% of renal pelvic dilatation. Taken together, it is suggested that a long-term pretreatment with BHA could substantially prevent fetuses from abortion and malformations following intrauterine exposure to teratogens including cyclophosphamide by inducing phase II antioxidant enzymes such as GSTs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.474-478
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• 2005

Craniosynostosis is a congenital anomaly characterized by premature closure of cranial sutures. Surgical intervention should be performed during infancy. However, surgical correction of craniosynostosis remains bone defect and secondary angle occasionally. Currently, publications investigating solutions to bone defect and secondary angle created by cranioplasty are getting much interest. We have used $BoneSource^{(R)}$ which is relatively safe as an implantable substance for providing solutions for this problem. From June 2002 to January 2004, five children with craniosynostosis underwent frontocalvarial contouring using $BoneSource^{(R)}$ and concurrent cranial vault remodeling. The patient ages ranged from 8.0 months to 4.9 years(mean, 2.5 years). The quantity of $BoneSource^{(R)}$ implanted ranged from 10 to 25g, with a mean of 13g. This paper presents the first series of children treated with $BoneSource^{(R)}$ for frontocalvarial contouring in the surgical correction of craniosynostosis. No patients experienced any complications. Our results shows excellent retention of contour without causing asymmetry or irregularity. No visible evidence of interference with craniofacial growth were observed. Through our experiences, $BoneSource^{(R)}$ is found to be very useful for frontocalvarial contouring in children undergoing correction of craniosynostosis.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.179-185
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to develop an osteogenic, biodegradable material using polymer and BMP. It was designed to have structural function and be moldable, for the reconstruction of load bearing areas and deformities of various configurations. Bone apatite was added to Poly(L-lactide)(PLLA) and made porous for osteoconductability and ease of BMP loading. The materials, with or without BMP purified from porcine bone matrix, were evaluated in cranial bone defect models in rats for biocompatibility and bone regeneration capability. The following results were obtained: The PLLA-BMP material with BMP added to the polymer showed 30% healing of cranial bone defects in rats during the 2 weeks to 3 months period of observation. The moldable PLLA agent without BMP also showed 25% bone healing capacity. Although new bone formation was incomplete in the critical size defect of rat cranium, it can be concluded that the unique moldability of those agents makes them useful for the reconstruction of various bone defects and maxillofacial deformities.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2019

Here we report a case of a focal atypical proliferative nodule (PN) arising from a congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN). Diagnosis was challenging because it had both benign and malignant clinical features. Unusual histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and intraoperative findings of this atypical PN are discussed. A 5-year-old girl was admitted for a congenital $5{\times}5cm$ sized scalp mass. This hemangioma-like soft mass showed biphasic characteristics such as a slow, gradual, and benign increase in size but worrisome dural invasion with cranial bone defect. We removed the scalp mass with clear resection margins. Interoperatively, we found that the cranial bone defect had already filled. Histopathologic examination showed CMN with focal atypical PN. The nodule showed sharp demarcation and cellular pleomorphism. However, in immunohistochemical study, Ki-67 proliferation index and expression levels of protein S-100 and Melan-A were very low. These were unusual findings of atypical PNs. Despite her worrisome preoperative radiologic features, she showed an indolent clinical course compatible with previously reported biologic behavior. The patient underwent follow-up inspection with magnetic resonance imaging every 6 months for up to 3 years. The nodule appeared to be stationary at the last visit.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.282-291
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• 2004

Pure-phase beta-tricalcium phosphate(${\beta}$-TCP) proved to be a bone regeneration material, providing the patient with vital bone at the defect site in a reasonable time, making a second surgical procedure for bone harvesting unnecessary. This study compares bone healing and BMP 2/4 expression in cranial defects in rabbits grafted with autogenous bone and ${\beta}$-TCP. Thirty New Zealand White rabbits was divided into 3 group of 10 animals each. Bilateral calvarial defects were made in the parietal bones of each animal. ${\beta}$-TCP placed in one defect and the other defects was filled with autogenous bone. The animal were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to investigate the expression of BMP 2/4. 1. The new bone formation around autogenous bone from 4 weeks and ${\beta}$-TCP from 8 weeks. 2. In autogenous bone graft, BMP 2/4 expression was decreased from 4 to 12 weeks. 3. In ${\beta}$-TCP graft, BMP 4 expression was increased from 8 to 12 weeks. But, BMP 2 was observed from 12 weeks. This study showed that bone healing, regeneration and, BMP 2/4 expression are delayed in grafted ${\beta}$-TCP than autogenous bone.