A case series on the conservative management of the bony skull in patients with aggressive skin carcinomas of the scalp

Abstract

Few studies examine techniques of surgical resection for scalp malignancies to ensure clear margins. We present a case series utilizing outer cortex removal in patients without evidence of bony or pericranial invasion. A retrospective casenote review is presented of three cases treated in a tertiary Head and Neck Cancer Centre. An outer table removal approach was utilized based on the absence of bony involvement either on pre-operative imaging or from intra-operative findings. All cases underwent an outer table drilldown procedure. Tumour histology included high grade carcinoma of unknown origin, malignant cylindroma and squamous cell carcinoma. Complete excisions with adequate deep margins were achieved in 100% cases. Overall disease-free survival was 66.6% and local control rate was 100%. This technique allows a high degree of local control, notably at the deep margin. There is little morbidity and it avoids the complications associated with full thickness calvarial resection.

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