Reversibility of Murine Motor Deficits Following Hemi-Craniectomy and Cranioplasty.

Publication/Presentation Date

10-1-2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hemi-craniectomy is a common surgical procedure which allows the brain to swell and herniate and is often utilized to treat traumatic brain injury. When left untreated the scalp skin typically sinks on the side of the craniectomy creating a phenotype termed "sinking skin flap syndrome." In addition, these same patients often develop long-term neurocognitive deficits termed "syndrome of the trephined" as a result of their craniectomy which reverse when the cranial skull is replaced. The authors hypothesize that a mouse animal model can be developed demonstrating long-term neurologic deficits attributed to hemi-craniectomy skull defects similar to humans with syndrome of the trephined.

METHODS: Thirty C57 mice were randomized among 3 groups: Group 1 = control group (sham surgery), Group 2 = hemi-craniectomy only, and Group 3 = hemi-craniectomy with immediate cranioplasty. Motor deficits were studied using a beam walk test. Statistical comparison of differences among the 3 groups was performed.

RESULTS: Beam walk test results demonstrated the craniectomy group had a statistically higher contralateral footfault slip/step ratio when compared with the control group (P

CONCLUSION: Motor deficits that are attributed to hemi-craniectomy bone defects alone are demonstrated in a mouse animal model. These motor deficits resemble some symptoms associated with human syndrome of the trephined.

Volume

27

Issue

7

First Page

1875

Last Page

1878

ISSN

1536-3732

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

27438444

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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