{"id":"3e3ccab6-c7d6-4168-beb5-d2758d1b4979","slug":"sni-17-502","title":"Epidermoid cyst and abscess following titanium mesh cranioplasty: A rare case report","authors":["Yiping Dai","Xiaochun Lu","Xiuluan Du","Guoqing Wu","Jie Wu","Jun Shi","Xiaofeng Xu","Wenyu Zhu","Qiang Huang"],"abstract":"Background: The development of a slowly enlarging epidermoid cyst (EC) near a scalp incision following titanium mesh cranioplasty (TMC), with subsequent progression to an epidural abscess after resection, represents an exceedingly rare iatrogenic complication. Case Description: A 68-year-old male, who had undergone decompressive craniectomy followed by staged bilateral TMC 5 years earlier for traumatic brain injury, presented with a solitary scalp mass that had been noted 1 year prior. Six months after the mass was resected, the patient developed an epidural abscess. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an EC, chronic inflammation, andStaphylococcus epidermidisgrowth. Conclusion: This case suggests that the EC and subsequent abscess were likely related to the prior TMC, highlighting this clinical course as a rare but serious iatrogenic complication of the procedure.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/sni-17-502/figures/SNI-17-502-g002.jpg","publishDate":"2026-09-04T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_1080_2025","categories":["Unique Case Observations","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/3e3ccab6-c7d6-4168-beb5-d2758d1b4979/pdf"}