Skin expansion--a sword that "stretches" two ways: scalp expansion and bone erosion.

Tissue expanders, which are used to enlarge the soft tissue of the scalp, eroded the outer table of the skull as well as a portion of the inner table. The patient in this case study is documented with photographs, and the entity of pressure due to skin expanders is discussed. A growing list of complications makes it important to be aware of the possible pitfalls of expanders and to discuss them with patients and/or their families, particularly when tissue expanders are used in children.