Temporal bone resorption: an uncommon complication after mandibular distraction.

Temporal bone absorption is a very infrequent complication following a intraoral mandibular distraction. We present a case of severe temporal bone absorption with skull base bone destruction in a child who experienced the mandibular distraction operation. In her follow-up of the 6th month, it was observed that the implanted distraction device drilled to the temporal bone and stretch into the middle cranial fossa. We recommend to optimize the positioning of the osteotomy and the design of the distraction to avoid the otential risk of adjacent skull destruction.