Skull Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had confidence problems for well over a decade now due to my odd looking skull. I was thrilled to learn that skull reshaping is now a tried and tested method. Looking at the different cases, I think my problem is a sagittal crest skull deformity – marked by a high midline crest of bone surrounded by adjoining areas of skull deficiencies.

The procedure of choice would probably include the use of custom parasagittal skull implants. My question now is if this procedure would affect the position of my eyebrows, since the scalp and forehead skin will be stretched a fair bit. Which made me fear that said procedure might have the undesired side effect of leaving me with a permanent “shocked look” on my face. So, does this procedure affect the positioning of the eyebrows?

A: I have not seen any cases of eyebrow elevation long-term with any form of skull implants. Nor has any patient so mentioned it. But the specific combination of sagittal crest reduction combined with parasagittal augmentation has not been seen to have any impact on eyebrow position. This is because for the most part the amount of skull augmentation and upward scalp push is not that great.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana