What Bone Cement Can Be Used For Forehead Augmentation After Tumor Removal?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a brain tumor surgery (meningioma) the size of a tennis ball taken out three years ago and I would like to know if bone cements for forehead augmentation/ reconstruction has any after affects. What consequence could the use of this material have on me. Where would the incision be done? How good could the outcome from forehead augmentation be?

A: I assume you had a frontal craniotomy/bone flap done to remove your meningioma and this has results in some contour deformities of your forehead. This is common as the frontal bone settles and heals with irregularities around the burr holes and the plates and screws used to fix them into place. These forehead defects/irregularities could quite easily be smoothed over/augmented by any of the different bone cements. The best bone cement to use would be that of a hydroxyapatite composition. There are no adverse consequences of this material on your bone or the overlying scalp. You would some or all of the same incision for your forehead recontouring that was used for the neurosurgical tumor procedure.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana