title: Cerebellar swelling after sacrifice of the superior petrosal vein during microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: The importance of preserving the deep cerebral venous outflow has been recognized in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia; however, few reports have described the details of complications arising from the sacrifice of the superior petrosal vein (SPV). During the procedure in a 77-year-old woman, some tributaries of the SPV complex were sacrificed to achieve microvascular decompression for right trigeminal neuralgia. Postoperatively, the patient was conscious and pain free; however, on postoperative day 1 she developed headache and nausea followed by a decreased level of consciousness. MRI revealed an extensive venous infarction in the right cerebellum. Sacrifice of the SPV may lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications. Neurosurgeons should pay close attention to the management of the SPV to reduce the risk of venous complications.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga 849-8501, Japan. masuoka@cc.saga-u.ac.jp
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Masuoka
authors: Toshio
authors: T
authors: Matsushima
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Hikita
authors: Eiko
authors: E
authors: Inoue
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000473:pathology*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000601:surgery