Clinical and neurophysiological observations after superior petrosal vein obstruction during surgery of the cerebellopontine angle: case report.

IMPORTANCE

Preservation of venous drainage during surgery of the cerebellopontine angle has received little attention.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We describe changes in brainstem auditory evoked potentials after temporary obstruction of the superior petrosal vein during surgical resection of a small meningioma at the petrous apex via a standard suboccipital-lateral approach. Temporary clipping of the petrosal vein resulted in deterioration of the brainstem auditory evoked potentials. The tumor was removed with preservation of the superior petrosal vein.

CONCLUSION

A transient postoperative cochlear nerve deficit emphasizes the importance of venous drainage and its preservation during surgery for small lesions of the cerebellopontine angle that do not distort normal anatomic structures.