Plates and screws..........

[WHWT]

Does anyone know the size of the titanium plates and screws that are used to close up the skull following AN surgeries?  Dr. Stieg and Dr. Selesnick performed my surgery (retrosigmoid suboccipital), and I never asked.  Now I'm just curious.  Thanks.

[Pooter]

Great question!  I don't have the answer, but in searching for the answer, I came across this PDF.  http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/UTSW/staticFile/org/Medical_Services/Skull_Base_Surgery/Acoustic_Neuroma_patient_info.pdf

It seemed to be a very good overview of an AN, treatment options, post-treatment complications, etc..  It's somewhat surgery-leaning (more info on complications to surgery and none listed for radiation, for example), but overall it seemed pretty good information.

Regards,
Brian

[tenai98]

my hole was just filled up with my fat and closed over...no screws no plates
JO

[loose screws (tightened)]

With the middle fossa the doctor sets the squared piece of skull that was cut for entry back into the opening. I was told by the doctor that he used 3 small titanium square plates with 2 holes in each square. This is where I'll guess; He places each of the 3 squares, one onto the top, front, and rear of the opening leaving the bottom of the opening without a plate or screws. I'll guess the reason for not placing a plate and screws along the bottom is because the ear is there. With the retro they would probably not put the plate and screws into the front of the opening. Front being your face.

My guess

[kristin]

That's what I was told too... 3 plates, 6 screws.

[DR]

Good question, but one I never thought of asking.  Anyone care to volunteer for a quick X-Ray?  Does it show up in the follow-up MRI scans?

[leapyrtwins]

Good question, but one I never thought of asking.  Anyone care to volunteer for a quick X-Ray?  Does it show up in the follow-up MRI scans?

I don't know about conventional x-rays, but the plates and screws used in AN surgeries are made out of titanium, therefore, they don't show up on MRIs.

The same goes for a BAHA abutment - it's titanium also and doesn't show up either.

I know this from experience 

Jan

[pjb]

I to had my surgery with the same surgeons 5 months ago and I was advised before surgery it was a small square but after surgery I did not ask how many were put in.  I would love for you to IM so we can go into more details about our surgery with the same doctors many questions to ask and to know how you are doing..

Regards,

Pat

[staypoz]

The plates do show up on x-rays -- they look like mesh or netting.

staypoz

[leapyrtwins]

The plates do show up on x-rays -- they look like mesh or netting

Cool    I've always been disappointed that I couldn't see my "hardware" or the fat in my head on my annual MRIs. 

Perhaps I just have a warped sense of humor, though 

[Pooter]

Perhaps I just have a warped sense of humor, though 

Just for the record, YOU said it.. Not me... for once.    Loves ya Jan!

Brian

[vcschaub]

The "plates" are really small bars that are placed across the bone cuts where the piece of skull was removed to get to the tumor. When the bone is replaced the bars are placed across the bone cut and attached with a screw on each end. Mine were removed 2 years after surgery and I saw them, they were about 3/4 inch long with tiny screws on each end. There were 3 "plates" each with 2 screws.

[loose screws (tightened)]

The "plates" are really small bars that are placed across the bone cuts where the piece of skull was removed to get to the tumor. When the bone is replaced the bars are placed across the bone cut and attached with a screw on each end. Mine were removed 2 years after surgery and I saw them, they were about 3/4 inch long with tiny screws on each end. There were 3 "plates" each with 2 screws.

vcshaub, just curious but why were they removed?

[lori67]

I think it's safe to say that they are smaller than a breadbox.   

It's also safe to say that Jan has a warped sense of humor.   

Lori 

[vcschaub]

My plates were removed because my scalp was very sensitive and I could feel them through the scalp. I was having a lot of headaches in that area. I consulted with my surgeon, Dr Brackmann, who felt it might not help to remove them but it would not hurt either. He said that it is very rare to remove them. I live in Florida so they were removed at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I am happy to report that the scalp tenderness disappeared and I get very few headaches.