Properties of an in vivo fractured poly(methyl methacrylate) cranioplasty after 15 years

CranioSafe Group

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: In 2001, a 27-year-old man was diagnosed with a meningioma with skull bone involvement. A craniectomy was performed and a CMW-3 poly(methyl methacrylate) cranioplasty was manually manufactured to reconstruct the remaining cranial defect. In 2016, he complained about progressive neurologic impairment. A computed tomography scan revealed that the cranioplasty had fractured into 4 dislocated pieces. Removal was indicated, and during the same operation a polyetheretherketone patient-specific implant was inserted. Methods: The fractured cranioplasty was compared with freshly prepared CMW-3 specimens to determine whether the material properties had changed during 15 years in vivo. Gel permeation chromatography, microcomputed tomography, and flexural strength tests were performed. The fracture itself was analyzed using finite element analysis. Results: The polydispersity index and molecular weight were not significantly different for the fractured cranioplasty and CMW-3. The fractured cranioplasty contained a total porosity of 10.7%, fresh CMW-3 cured at atmospheric pressure contained 4.1%, and 0.06% when cured at 2.2 bar. The flexural strength of the CMW-3 cured at 2.2 bar was significantly higher than both the fractured cranioplasty and CMW-3 cured at atmospheric pressure. Finite element analysis showed stress of 12.2 MPa under a load of 100 N on a weak spot. Conclusions: This ex vivo study shows that CMW-3 after 15 years in vivo was not influenced in molecular weight or flexural strength. However, the design of the implant and the handling of the poly(methyl methacrylate) seem to be important factors to improve mechanical properties of cranial reconstructions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e60-e68
Number of pages9
JournalWorld neurosurgery
Volume123
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2019

Funding

Conflict of interest statement: This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW (project number 14326; CranioSafe), which is part of The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research , and which is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs . Conflict of interest statement: This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW (project number 14326; CranioSafe), which is part of The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, and which is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

FundersFunder number
Ministerie van Economische Zaken
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen14326
Ministry of Economic Affairs

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