Drainage of Transverse Sinus and Vein of Labbe in Cerebral Angiography

ABSTRACT

Recent advances in neurosurgical field have markedly reduced the mortality and morbidity after skull base surgery. Despite of new skills of skull base surgery, the complication rates remain high. Postoperative cerebral infarction is a main cause of complication. Although arterial compromise is responsible for a majority of these events, the venous side of the circulation can also play a role in producing cerebral infarction. One of the key areas of cerebral venous drainage is at the junction of the transverse sinus and vein of Labbe. We have analyzed 50 cases of cerebral angiograms performed to rule out several vascular diseases. The results are as follows 1) The selected carotid artery influences opacification patterns of the transverse sinus. 2) The incidence of transverse sinus atresia is about 14%. 3) Anterior and posterior circulation may have different opacification patterns of the transverse sinus. We concluded that neurosurgeons must perform complete 4-vessel angioraphy and analyze various opacification patterns of the transverse sinus and the vein of Labbe to prevent venous infarction after skull base surgery.