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01-02-2019 | Pictorial Essay

Post-operative complications of craniotomy and craniectomy

Authors: Komal A. Chughtai, Omar P. Nemer, Alexander T. Kessler, Alok A. Bhatt

Published in: Emergency Radiology | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Craniotomy and craniectomy are widely performed emergent neurosurgical procedures and are the prescribed treatment for a variety of conditions from trauma to cancer. It is vital for the emergency radiologist to be aware of expected neuroimaging findings in post-craniotomy and craniectomy patients in order to avoid false positives. It is just as necessary to be familiar with postsurgical complications in these patients to avoid delay in lifesaving treatment. This article will review the commonly encountered normal and abnormal findings in post-craniotomy and craniectomy patients. The expected postoperative CT and MRI appearance of these procedures are discussed, followed by complications. These include hemorrhage, tension pneumocephalus, wound/soft tissue infection, bone flap infection and extradural abscesses. Complications specifically related to craniectomies include extracranial herniation, external brain tamponade, paradoxical herniation, and trephine syndrome.

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Title: Post-operative complications of craniotomy and craniectomy
Authors: Komal A. Chughtai
Omar P. Nemer
Alexander T. Kessler
Alok A. Bhatt
Publication date: 01-02-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Emergency Radiology / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1070-3004
Electronic ISSN: 1438-1435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-018-1647-2

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Post-operative complications of craniotomy and craniectomy

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