How Can I Fix My Damaged Occipital Bone?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Here are some pics of my damage occipital bone. I was involved in a roll over accident I hit my head so I have a bump on the rear right of my head, a hole fractured inwards as you can see in the image a circled. I’m trying to see if I can reshape my fracture occipital bone, to look more like a normal occipital bone more round in the back.

A:Thank you for sending your pictures. Most certainly the damage occipital bone can be adequately reconstructed for a better contour. Which technique that would be best to do that, either the application of hydroxyapatite cement or a custom skull implant, cannot be determined from your pictures alone.  It really takes a 3-D skull CT scan to fully appreciate what the exact contour deficiency is compared to the opposite side. I don’t know whether the area that you have circled on your pictures represents the scope of the contour of depression or whether are you merely circled it to indicate the area. For now, until a 3-D CT skull scan shows us what is the best method.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon