title: [Three-dimensional images of petrosal veins for preoperative evaluation: four case reports].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the surgeries of the upper part of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), the petrosal vein (PV) is an obstacle, and the resection of the PV sometimes causes postoperative complications such as cerebellar hemorrhagic infarction. On the other hand, it can be an anatomical landmark during the surgery. We have used three-dimensional (3D) CT images for preoperative evaluation. We, herein, report 4 cases of CPA lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PV was imaged with neighboring structures using CT and a workstation. We paid attention especially to the vein of the cerebellopontine fissure (VCPF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The four cases include one case of trigeminal neuralgia, two meningiomas and one case of acoustic schwannoma. 3D CT images showed (1) the anatomical formation such as course of the PV, (2) relationship to the neighboring structures of the tumors, (3) expectation of complications after sacrificing the PV. By observing the preoperative 3D CT images, we were able to plan safety operative approaches and procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  3D CT images of the PV are very useful for preoperative evaluation of surgery in CPA lesions.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Saga University, Saga, Japan.
authors: Tetsuro
authors: T
authors: Takao
authors: Motofumi
authors: M
authors: Kouguchi
authors: Yukiko
authors: Y
authors: Nakahara
authors: Masatou
authors: M
authors: Kawashima
authors: Toshio
authors: T
authors: Matsushima
mesh_terms: D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D002531:Cerebellum; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008579:Meningioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D057234:Preoperative Period; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery