Rivet-like titanium clamp fixation of cranial bone flaps during open magnetic resonance-guided neurosurgery

A new implant technique for bone flap fixation after magnetic resonance image-guided neurosurgical procedures in the first vertical open 0.5T MRI scanner is described. Between May 1998 and December 1998 cranial bone flap refixation was performed in 20 patients using rivet-like titanium cranial bone flap fixation clamps. In all cases, a safe and solid refixation of the bone flap was achieved. Intraoperative and postoperative MRI quality was not influenced. Rivet-like titanium clamp bone fixation is a safe procedure which can be easily performed under the special circumstances during neurosurgical operations with interventional MRI.