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AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:2019-2026, September 2005
© 2005 American Society of Neuroradiology

BRAIN

Incidence of Superficial Sylvian Vein Compromise and Postoperative Effects on CT Imaging after Surgical Clipping of Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms

Bruce L. Dean^a, Robert C. Wallace^a, Joseph M. Zabramski^b, Alan M. Pitt^a, C. Roger Bird^a and Robert F. Spetzler^b

^a Division of Neuroradiology, Barron Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
^b Division of Neurological Surgery, Barron Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ

Address correspondence to Bruce Dean, MD, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center, 350 West Thomas, Phoenix, AZ 85013

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dissection and retraction of the sylvian fissure can cause venous insufficiency and may be an important contributor to postoperative edema or hemorrhage after clipping of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm. The incidence of changes in the superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) and adjacent veins and whether such changes increase the amount of edema or hemorrhage on postoperative CT is the focus of this study.

METHODS: Pre- and postoperative angiograms of 100 consecutive patients with MCA aneurysms treated by craniotomy and clipping were compared to determine the postoperative incidence of changes involving the SMCV. CTs from the normal and abnormal postoperative venous groups were compared to determine the amount of edema or presence of parenchymal hemorrhage.

RESULTS: Postoperatively, 31 (31%) SMCVs were altered, 20 to a minor or moderate degree. Eleven cases were pronounced. In 9 (9%) cases, the SMCV was completely obscured or failed to fill on postoperative angiography. More edema (observer 1, P < .0002; observer 2, P < .0006) and small brain parenchymal hemorrhages (observer 1, P < .00003; observer 2, P < .00001) were found on the postoperative CT images of the group whose SMCVs were altered than those that were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists should be attentive to changes in the SMCV and adjacent venous structures to optimize outcomes of procedures involving the sylvian fissure.