title: Neurocognitive assessment before and after cranioplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper addresses the possible value of neurocognitive tests on the evaluation of patients before and after cranioplasty for large cranial defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a single patient with a large corrected cranial defect a detailed neurocognitive analysis was performed utilizing the EXIT interview and Cognistat before and after surgery. Planning and development of the surgical prosthesis were based on the pre-operative reconstruction of the head CT and on pre-operative pictures of the patient. Xenon-CT anatomical and quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) analysis was performed before and periodically after cranioplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement in major cognitive functions was observed after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognistat is a detailed neuropsychological battery that permits a better assessment of patients in diverse neurological conditions. The EXIT interview gives a better rapid assessment of cognition not provided by other methods, such as the mini-mental status examination (MMSE). The utilization of these techniques permits a better understanding of long-term outcomes for patients with diverse neurological conditions, including post-cranioplasty patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dujovny
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaviria
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D020204:Skull Fracture, Depressed / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*