CRANIOTOMY

It is the surgical opening of the skull to gain access to intracranial structures.

A craniotomy may be done

◆ To remove :

● Abnormal brain tissue such as brain tumor

● Epileptogenic tissues

● Sample of tissue by biopsy

● Blood clot ( Hematoma )

● Excess cerebrospinal fluid

● Pus from an infection ( Abscess )

◆ Relieve brain swelling

◆ Stop bleeding ( Haemorrhage )

◆ Repair blood vessels , meninges & skull fractures.

Types of Craniotomy

Craniotomy can be classified into several types depending on the location. The
skull consists of the frontal bone located at the forehead, the temporal bones at
the temples, the parietal bones on both sides, and the occipital bone at the back
of the head.

●Frontal craniotomy is performed through the frontal bone

●Temporal craniotomy is performed through the temporal bone

●Parietal craniotomy is performed through the parietal bone

●Occipital craniotomy is performed through the occipital bone.

Craniotomy can involve more than one skull bones, for example, frontotemporal
craniotomy, frontotemporoparietal craniotomy.
Cranioplasty

It is the the repair of cranial defect by means of plastic or metal plate.