Cranioplasty Using Titanium Mesh After Skull Tumor Resection in Five Dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical details, surgery, postoperative imaging, and short to mid-term outcome after cranioplasty with titanium mesh in dogs with large skull tumors.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Client-owned dogs with skull tumors (n=5).


METHODS
All tumors were removed via craniectomy and a sheet of titanium mesh was contoured to reconstruct the calvarial defect and sutured to surrounding musculature.


RESULTS
Four dogs had multilobular tumors of bone and 1 dog had a soft tissue sarcoma invading the cranial vault. Neurologic examination was unchanged or improved postoperative, a good cosmetic appearance was achieved, and no complications were noted at 2 weeks postoperative. Late postoperative computed tomography (CT) in 2 dogs and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in 1 dog confirmed the presence of the titanium mesh without migration. There was no interference of the mesh with image interpretation and definitive radiation therapy was pursued in 1 dog without complication. Late follow-up reported 2 dogs euthanatized; at 44 weeks postoperative due to tumor re-growth; at 12 weeks postoperative for hemoabdomen, respectively. One dog drowned at 40 weeks postoperative, 1 dog was lost to follow-up, and 1 dog is alive at 83 weeks postoperative free of clinical signs.


CONCLUSIONS
Titanium mesh is suitable for cranioplasty based on its strength, biocompatibility, and excellent handling characteristics. It does not interfere with acquisition or interpretation of CT or MR images, thereby allowing postoperative imaging for ongoing assessment.
University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
Desiree D
DD
Rosselli
University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
Simon R
SR
Platt
Charlestown Veterinary Referral Specialists, Charleston, South Carolina.
Courtenay
C
Freeman
Advanced Critical Care, Emergency and Specialty Services, Woodland Hills, California.
Jeremy
J
O'Neill
University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
Marc
M
Kent
University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, Georgia.
Shannon P
SP
Holmes
D000818:Animals; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012888:Skull Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000662:veterinary*; D014025:Titanium; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014025:Titanium