Will A Skull Implant Affect The Ability To Have CT/MRI/EEGs Afterwards?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have some other follow up questions relating to a skull implant. I’m trying to get a better idea of how this will impact me in the long term if any medical issues arise that I would need testing or imaging for. Would this affect my ability to get an EEG, especially measuring any activity in that frontal area where the implant is placed, either from the screw or the implant itself? Have you had any patients that have reported any impacts or limitations to diagnostic testing of the head/brain due to this kind of procedure?

A:When it comes to CT and MRI imaging a skull implant or its titanium screw(s) do not pose any restrictions on getting it or affecting the obtained images. When it comes to an EEG this is not a question that I have ever been asked before or have ever had a postop patient who needed an EEG.  So I can not provide a qualified answer in that regard. I suspect that neither pose an issue, particularly the implant. But if any doubt don’t use a titanium screw for fixation. (it is nit usually an absolute necessity in some skull implant cases)

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon