ACUTE, UNILATERAL TRANSVERSE SINUS OCCLUSION DURING CRANIECTOMY IN 7 DOGS WITH SPACE-OCCUPYING INTRACRANIAL DISEASE

Objective- The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ac ute, unilateral transverse sinus occlusion on intracranial pressure (I CP) and postoperative mortality in dogs with structural intracranial d isease. Study Design- Affected dogs had a single transverse sinus occl uded during craniectomy for intracranial mass biopsy or removal. Anima ls- Seven dogs with space-occupying intracranial disease in the cerebe llopontine angle area. Methods- The ipsilateral transverse sinus was p ermanently occluded during the surgical approach to the intracranial l esion to increase surgical exposure by allowing a caudal lateral rostr otentorial craniectomy to be combined with a suboccipital craniectomy. In five dogs, intracranial pressure was monitored during surgery usin g a fiberoptic intracranial pressure monitoring device. Results- Initi al ICP varied among dogs, ranging from 7 to 21 mm Kg. Intracranial pre ssure, however, decreased in all dogs after craniectomy and durotomy ( P <.05). No increase in intracranial pressure occurred after transvers e sinus occlusion (P = .42). All dogs survived the surgical procedure. Conclusions- Acute, unilateral transverse sinus occlusion during cran iectomy in dogs with space-occupying intracranial lesions did not resu lt in significant increases in ICP or intraoperative mortality. Clinic al Relevance- Acute, unilateral transverse sinus occlusion during cran iectomy can be used to increased surgical exposure to the caudal fossa of the brain without increased risk of increasing ICP. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.