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Craniotomy in 9 days: What can I expect?
In September 2021, I went for a routine MRI for my MS and a new 7mm tentorial meningioma was discovered. This was at the Mayo Rochester. That neurologist said he’d see me in 2 years. I was already having headaches along with increased fatigue and nausea. I went for a second opinion with a neurosurgeon; since the MRI in September 2021 I’ve had 2 subsequent scans which have shown growth and I now have mass effect so in 9 days I’m having a left occipital craniotomy. I know there are so many variables with different outcomes but I’d like to hear from others that have gone through this surgery and recovery.
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@jd57
Yikes! Your story could have been mine too. I had a craniotomy to remove a large frontal lobe meningioma January 2025. I had a quick recovery as well, but parts of the incision weren’t healing. At the 6 week follow up the surgeon commented that a cranial plate may be preventing wound healing and another surgery may be required to repair the wound. He mentioned possible dire consequences such as infection and the remote possibility of a craniectomy/cranioplasty. About a week later a scab on the incision fell out and revealed a hole that went down to the bone. A cranial plate was visible at the bottom of the hole! Naturally we freaked out and raced to the ER. An MRI showed no signs of infection yet and I had surgery two days later to remove two plates and clean and debride the wound. Tests showed no infection, bullet dodged! I guess skull is replaced by titanium mesh these days. I’ve seen a couple of posts on this site from people who’ve had it done.
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2 Reactionsjd57 & kdog1957--Thank you for sharing your story. What I take from reading about your experiences is if one feels anything is slightly amiss after a craniotomy don't hesitate to "bother" your neurosurgeon. Sorry you both had to go through that.
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1 Reaction@kdog1957 where was your craniotomy done? Did you choose or was it emergency procedure?
@as72 the craniotomy was done 3 days after discovery so it was basically an emergency. It would have caused a stroke or a hemorrhage if it hadn’t been addressed very soon. The procedure was done at Providence St. Vincent’s in Portland Oregon.
@kdog1957 I thought they do a bone flap and replace part of the skull that they remove? That’s what I was told. I pray for your recovery and healing. My MRI is due 3/24.
@as72 the usual procedure is to remove and clean the bone flap and put it back as is. Occasionally with meningiomas the tumor can invade the skull. When that happens sometimes the compromised bone is replaced with a plate or a metal mesh. Or infection can necessitate bone replacement as what happened to @jd57. Good luck with the MRI. Is it for diagnosis? I have a follow up MRI next week.
@kdog1957
I was diagnosed 12/2/2026 2.7 left frontal anterior lobe with edema partially calcified. They suggested resection due to the edema but I wanted to wait. Said it wasn’t unreasonable to wait until next MRI 3/24 at UCSF and follow up visit 4/2. My visit in December neurosurgeon said he thinks he could get all of it but who knows? This waiting is causing some anxiety but if I could safely hold off until after my son’s wedding in September I would prefer doing it in October. I don’t have any symptoms other tban pressure headache but they said they don’t know if it’s caused by tumor. Many things can cause headaches.