title: Posterior fossa reconstruction using titanium plate for the treatment of cerebellar ptosis after decompression for Chiari malformation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe our use of a perforated titanium plate to perform a partial posterior fossa cranioplasty in the treatment of cerebellar ptosis and dural ectasia after posterior fossa decompression (PFD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients who had undergone PFD underwent posterior fossa reconstruction using a titanium plate. Symptoms were related to either descent of the cerebellum into the decompression or to dural ectasia into the craniectomy defect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients who had undergone large suboccipital craniectomies and who presented with persistent headaches and some with neurological symptoms related to syringomyelia, underwent reoperation with placement of a small titanium plate. Ten of 12 patients showed symptomatic improvement after reoperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placement of a titanium plate appears to be an effective method of treatment of cerebellar ptosis and dural ectasia after PFD for Chiari malformation.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Vikram
authors: V
authors: Udani
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Langston T
authors: LT
authors: Holly
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Chow
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. Electronic address: ubatzdorf@mednet.ucla.edu.
authors: Ulrich
authors: U
authors: Batzdorf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001860:Bone Plates; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D014025:Titanium; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium
keywords: Cerebellar ptosis; Chiari malformation; Cranioplasty; Dural ectasia; Titanium plate