Abstract
In certain surgical procedures, sacrificing the superior petrosal vein (SPV) is required. Previous studies have reported transient cerebellar edema, venous infarction, or hemorrhage that might occur after sectioning of the SPV. The present study investigated the pathophysiological changes in cerebellum and brain stem after SPV sacrifice. Rabbits were divided into the operation group where the SPV was sacrificed and the control group where the SPV remained intact. Each group was further subdivided into 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h groups which represented the time period from sacrificing of the SPV to killing of the rabbits. The water content (WC), Na+ content, K+ content, and pathophysiological changes in cerebellum and brain stem tissue were measured. In comparison with the control, the WC and Na+ content of cerebellar tissue were increased in the 4, 8, 12, and 24 h operation subgroups (P<0.05), but only increased in the 4-h subgroup of the brain stem tissue (P<0.05). The K+ content of the cerebellar tissue decreased in the 4, 8, 12, and 24 h operation subgroups (P<0.05) but only decreased in the 4-h subgroup of brain stem tissue (P<0.05). Nissl staining and TEM demonstrated that cerebellar edema occurred in the 4, 8, 12, and 24 h operation subgroups but not in the 48- and 72-h subgroups. Brain stem edema occurred in the 4-h operation subgroup. In summary, cerebellum and brain stem edema can be observed at different time points after sacrificing of the SPV in the rabbit model.
Highlights
The superior petrosal vein (SPV), identified by Dandy [1], is located in the cerebellopontine angle near the rostral aspect of the trigeminal nerve
Some previous studies have reported that transient cerebellar edema [6] and venous infarction [7], brain stem infarction [8], or even hemorrhage might occur after sacrificing of the SPV [9]
water content (WC) of cerebellum and brain stem increased in the rabbit model with the sacrificed SPV
Summary
The superior petrosal vein (SPV), identified by Dandy [1], is located in the cerebellopontine angle near the rostral aspect of the trigeminal nerve. The danger of damaging or sacrificing the pestrosal vein and its branches should be considered during surgical procedures [2]. It has been reported that this vein can be sacrificed without complication [5]. Some previous studies have reported that transient cerebellar edema [6] and venous infarction [7], brain stem infarction [8], or even hemorrhage might occur after sacrificing of the SPV [9]. Samii et al reported that amongst 30 patients who underwent sacrifice of the SPV, 9 patients had severe complications, of these 7 patients had cerebral edema and 1 patient had venous cerebral infarction [4]. Masuoka et al [6] reported the case of a 77-year-old female patient who underwent microvascular decompression for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia and the SPV was sacrificed in order to obtain a good surgical field. MRI revealed an extensive venous infarction in the right cerebellum [6]
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