About the operative management and post-operative neural development of patients with cloverleaf skull deformity

Abstract

Introduction: We present our treatment concept for cloverleaf skull deformity on the basis of two representative cases that had been presented to our multidisciplinary skull deformity board.

Methods: Perioperatively, we monitored electrophysiologic parameters with median nerve somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP), tibial nerve (T) SSEP, brainstem acoustic-evoked potential and flush-elicited visual-evoked potential, as well as intracranial pressure. Both patients underwent decompressive bilateral vault craniectomy, frontal and occipital reshaping at an age of four months.

Results: Secondary fronto-orbital advancement and cranial vault reshaping was performed after maximal vault reossification was reached at an age of 8 and 12 months, respectively. Additionally, one of the patients underwent treatment of a Chiari malformation via suboccipital decompressive craniectomy and tonsillary resection, as well as ventriculoperitoneal shunting for hydrocephalus.

Discussion: The patients showed nearly unrestrained neural and neurophysiological development over a follow-up period of 5 years.