title: The utility of calcium phosphate cement in cranioplasty following retromastoid craniectomy for cranial neuralgias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following retromastoid craniectomy for microvascular decompression of the fifth or seventh cranial nerve, the preferred method and value of cranioplasty remains disputed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we report the functional outcome of calcium phosphate cranioplasty following first-time microvascular decompression in 79 consecutive patients who underwent operations over a one-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patient experienced a deep infection, cerebrospinal fluid leak or undue incisional pain at long-term follow-up. Additionally, all patients stated that they were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this technique is unlikely to affect the rates of infection and postoperative pain, we believe that the low rate of CSF leak provides a unique advantage over other currently used methods of closing retromastoid craniectomies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Hamot Hospital , Erie, PA , USA.
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Frederickson
authors.forename: Raymond F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sekula
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001843:Bone Cements; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery*; D061145:Microvascular Decompression Surgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000628:therapy; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C020243:calcium phosphate