Decompressive Cranioplasty in a Patient with Osteopetrosis.

BACKGROUND

Osteopetrosis is a heterogeneous group of uncommon congenital disorders that causes bony sclerosis and remodeling. Patients who are symptomatic can show significant neurologic consequences with the involvement of cranial nerves and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP).

METHODS

We report an unusual case of a 26-year-old woman with an autosomal-dominant type of osteopetrosis who presented with headache and severe visual deterioration, both attributed to increased ICP. A hemicranioplasty was preformed, resulting in the resolution of her symptoms of ICP and stabilization of her vision. Postoperative imaging showed expansion of the ventricles and the subarachnoid spaces with an improvement of the associated cerebellar herniation.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, in patients with symptomatic osteopetrosis, cranioplasty can be considered as an option to treat high ICP-related symptoms.