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.