J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2020; 81(02): 193-197
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1684021
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Preoperative Evaluation of the Effects of Sigmoid Sinus Ligation with both Endovascular and Open-Field Occlusion Tests before Removal of Petroclival Tumors

1   Department of Neurosurgery, Subarukai Kotoh Memorial Hospital, Higashiohmi, Shiga, Japan
,
Takuro Inoue
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Subarukai Kotoh Memorial Hospital, Higashiohmi, Shiga, Japan
,
Toshiki Tanaka
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Kohka Public Hospital, Kohka, Shiga, Japan
,
Hisao Hirai
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Subarukai Kotoh Memorial Hospital, Higashiohmi, Shiga, Japan
,
Takanori Fukushima
3   Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

27 December 2018

25 February 2019

Publication Date:
26 March 2019 (online)

Abstract

Background Surgery for petroclival tumors is very challenging for neurosurgeons because the position of the tumor in relation to the brainstem, cranial nerves, and posterior fossa vessels greatly restricts the surgical field. Some papers have described using sigmoid sinus ligation to open the surgical field; however, pre- and intraoperative evaluations of the safety of ligation have been limited, despite the risk of complications from venous insufficiency. Here, we describe our method of preoperatively evaluating the potential safety of a retrolabyrinthine transsigmoid approach with nondominant ipsilateral sigmoid sinus ligation (RLTSwSSL).

Methods A retrospective review was conducted on petroclival tumors treated over a 5-year period with RLTSwSSL after evaluation with both an endovascular balloon occlusion test (BOT) and an open-field sinus clipping occlusion test (COT). Changes in pressure of < 10 mm Hg and the absence of neurodegeneration during the tests indicated that it would be safe to proceed with permanent ligation.

Results Four patients with large petroclival tumors underwent surgery via RLTSwSSL after detailed preoperative evaluations with both BOT and COT. All patients had uneventful courses of recovery without developing any complications derived from venous insufficiency.

Conclusion In our case series, we have described a protocol for using both BOT and COT to evaluate the likely outcomes after sigmoid sinus ligation and thereby to improve safety. Further studies are needed to establish definite criteria for both occlusion tests that will ensure good outcomes.

Authors' Contributions

Author S.S. conceived and designed the study, analyzed the data, and drafted and revised the manuscript. Authors S.S., T.I., T.T., H.H., and T.F. contributed to obtaining the data. All the authors critically reviewed and approved the submitted version of the manuscript.


Consent

All patients and their families gave the necessary consent for this report to be published.


 
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