Rare Scalp Condition Corrected in Complex Reconstruction

For over a decade, a 23-year-old man from Hunan province lived with deep, brain-like folds across his scalp that defied previous medical interventions. Following years of failed treatments and rejections from hospitals, a specialized team at Zhongnan Hospital has finally restored his scalp to a normal appearance through a rigorous, two-stage reconstruction.

Editorial·July 26, 2026·reads: 1,591

Rare Scalp Condition Corrected in Complex Reconstruction

The patient, known as Li, first observed the abnormal thickening of his scalp during his early teens. By age 14, the condition had claimed nearly half of his head, causing significant emotional distress and persistent social anxiety. Previous attempts at correction, including a skin expansion procedure, resulted only in extensive scarring and further complications that left other surgeons unwilling to operate.

Dr. Zhou Wei and his team at the Plastic Surgery Department of Zhongnan Hospital diagnosed the issue as cutis verticis gyrata. While the condition primarily impacts physical appearance, its etiology remains poorly understood. To address the lack of viable tissue, the team initiated an 11-month treatment plan starting in July last year. Surgeons implanted tissue expanders, gradually injecting fluid to stretch the remaining healthy skin. This process provided the necessary material for a final three-hour operation to excise the abnormal tissue. Following the successful procedure, Li’s scalp has regained a natural appearance and the ability to grow hair, marking the conclusion of his long-term struggle.