Case 14 (2024): Full-thickness scalp and skull defect with dura mater exposure due to dissociation of pain sensation and anankastic personality disorder
Martynas Tamulevicius1, Peter M. Vogt (MD1, Professor)1, Vincent Maerz1
- 1MH Hannover, Germany
Abstract
A 66-year-old patient was presented as an emergency case at an external neurological clinic due to noticeable neurological symptoms, including right-sided neglect. The patient had been unconsciously attempting to constantly turn to the right side while in bed for several hours. Additionally, a large oval skull cap defect with dura mater exposure in the occipital region was observed. After ruling o
BeforeAfterA 66-year-old patient was presented as an emergency case at an external neurological clinic due to noticeable neurological symptoms, including right-sided neglect. The patient had been unconsciously attempting to constantly turn to the right side while in bed for several hours. Additionally, a large oval skull cap defect with dura mater exposure in the occipital region was observed. After ruling out intracranial bleeding, infarction, and cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders through imaging, the patient was transferred to our clinic for evaluation of possible defect coverage. According to the patient's medical history, in 2010, he had been treated by otolaryngologists for an extensive nuchal abscess (approximately 10 x 10 cm) with early necrotizing fasciitis and bacteraemia, with positive blood cultures indicating Staphylococcus aureus (penicillin G-sensitive). After multiple debridements and partial wound closure, the clean and gut granulated wound was left to heal by secondary intention. Furthermore, the initial diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus was made with significant hyperglycaemia (blood glucose level of 30.4 mmol/L, HbA1c of 10.8%). The antidiabetic therapy prescribed at that time was also discontinued by the patient himself 5 years ago, prior to the current presentation. Information obtained from third-party sources (general practitioner, family members, and close friends of the patient) revealed that the patient would frequently scratch his head with his fingers several times a day, often resulting in subungual bloodstains on his fingers. The patient reported experiencing persistent pruritus, especially in the occipital region, since the beginning of the wound healing by secondary intention in the nuchal region.
A 5 x 7 cm scalp defect with chronically thickened dura mater was observed.
2
To exclude the possibility of scar carcinoma, a field biopsy was initially conducted.
3
– follow-up appointments at 3, 6 months, and 1 year; – ambulant psychiatric support to prevent self-harm behavior; – ambulant diabetic care for regular therapy monitoring; – scar massage for optimal scar healing.
How to cite this article
Martynas Tamulevicius, Peter M. Vogt (MD, Professor), Vincent Maerz. Case 14 (2024): Full-thickness scalp and skull defect with dura mater exposure due to dissociation of pain sensation and anankastic personality disorder. Journal of Plastic, Breast & Reconstructive Surgery. 2024.
Open access. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by the Journal of Plastic, Breast & Reconstructive Surgery. Copyright to this case is shared between the author(s) and the journal; authors may reuse their own case for education, presentations and social media.
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