Craniectomy is defined as what?

• A. The surgical removal of a portion of the skull
• B. The skull is taken out and put back in
• C. Removal of brain tissue
• D. Draining CSF

Answer: (A)

Craniectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the skull. This procedure is done to relieve intracranial pressure or to allow access to the brain in emergencies, and unlike a craniotomy, the bone is not immediately replaced after the operation. In a craniotomy, the skull is temporarily opened and the bone flap is typically put back in place after the procedure. The other options describe different procedures: draining CSF refers to methods like ventriculostomy or shunting; removing brain tissue would be a lobectomy or similar resection; removing the skull and putting it back in describes craniotomy or skull reconstruction rather than craniectomy.