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 cerebello pontine angle has received little attention. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We describe changes in brainstem auditory evoked pot entials after temporary obstruction of the superior petrosal vein during su rgical resection of a small meningioma at the petrous apex via a standard s uboccipital-lateral approach. Temporary clipping of the petrosal vein resul ted 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 smal l lesions of the cerebellopontine angle that do not distort normal anatomic structures.