Treatment of sphenoid dysplasia with a titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene implant in orbitofrontal neurofibroma: Report of three cases

Orbital manifestations occur in less than 1% of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These manifestations are frequently associated with sphenoid wing dysplasia. The typical radiologic feature is partial or total loss of the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, which leads to herniation of the temporal lobe through the orbital cavity resulting in proptosis and pulsating exophthalmos. Traditional reconstruction of this bone defect involves split bone grafting or titanium mesh. However, these techniques have some limitations due to bone resorption and infection risk. We report the use of 0.85 mm titanium-reinforced porous polyethylene implant sheet in three cases of orbital neurofibromatosis with sphenoid dysplasia. The role of this material was to create a barrier between the brain and orbital cavity. The implant sheet was modeled intraoperatively to reconstruct the orbital cavity anatomy and fitted without any screws. The malleability of the implant allows quick reconstruction of the curved orbital skeleton. Furthermore, the implant doesn't interfere with postoperative imaging and may decrease risk infection.