Superior petrosal vein
Updates to Article Attributes
The superior petrosal vein, also known as Dandy’s vein is part of the venous drainage system in the posterior cranial fossa, draining the anterior aspect of the cerebellum and brainstem.
Gross anatomy
Each superior petrosal vein is usually formed by the convergence of multiple tributaries to form a single large vein that empties into the superior petrosal sinus.
Surgical implications
The superior petrosal vein can be a hindrance for the retrosigmoid approach to the posterior fossa, limiting the extent of cerebellar retraction and blocking access to the upper cerebellopontine angle during surgery for trigeminal neuralgia, vestibular schwannomas, and meningiomas, obstructing the approach to the trigeminal nerve from the retrosigmoid corridor.
Preservation of this vein is a neurosurgical dilemma. A recent review has revealed that although the incidence of complications due to superior petrosal vein obliteration is low, preservation should be attempted since the sequelae might be worse than the natural history of the existing pathology.2
The superior petrosal vein has also been implied in trigeminal neuralgia due to venous neurovascular conflict.3
History and etymology
The anatomical course of the superior petrosal vein was first described by Walter E. Dandy1, highlighting its relation to the trigeminal nerve and cerebellum, and its significance during surgery for trigeminal neuralgia.
-<p>The <strong>superior petrosal vein</strong>, also known as <strong>Dandy’s vein</strong> is part of the venous drainage system in the posterior cranial fossa, draining the anterior aspect of the cerebellum and brainstem. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>Each superior petrosal vein is usually formed by the convergence of multiple tributaries to form a single large vein that empties into the <a href="/articles/superior-petrosal-sinus">superior petrosal sinus</a>.</p><h4><strong>Surgical implications</strong></h4><p>The superior petrosal vein can be a hindrance for the retrosigmoid approach to the posterior fossa, limiting the extent of cerebellar retraction and blocking access to the upper cerebellopontine angle during surgery for trigeminal neuralgia, vestibular schwannomas, and meningiomas, obstructing the approach to the trigeminal nerve from the retrosigmoid corridor. </p><p>Preservation of this vein is a neurosurgical dilemma. A recent review has revealed that although the incidence of complications due to superior petrosal vein obliteration is low, preservation should be attempted since the sequelae might be worse than the natural history of the existing pathology.<sup>2</sup> </p><p>The superior petrosal vein has also been implied in trigeminal neuralgia due to venous neurovascular conflict.<sup>3</sup></p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The anatomical course of the superior petrosal vein was first described by <strong>Walter E. Dandy</strong><sup>1</sup>, highlighting its relation to the trigeminal nerve and cerebellum, and its significance during surgery for <a href="/articles/trigeminal-neuralgia">trigeminal neuralgia</a>.</p>- +<p>The <strong>superior petrosal vein</strong>, also known as <strong>Dandy’s vein</strong> is part of the venous drainage system in the posterior cranial fossa, draining the anterior aspect of the cerebellum and brainstem. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>Each superior petrosal vein is usually formed by the convergence of multiple tributaries to form a single large vein that empties into the <a href="/articles/superior-petrosal-sinus">superior petrosal sinus</a>.</p><h4>Surgical implications</h4><p>The superior petrosal vein can be a hindrance for the retrosigmoid approach to the posterior fossa, limiting the extent of cerebellar retraction and blocking access to the upper cerebellopontine angle during surgery for trigeminal neuralgia, vestibular schwannomas, and meningiomas, obstructing the approach to the trigeminal nerve from the retrosigmoid corridor. </p><p>Preservation of this vein is a neurosurgical dilemma. A recent review has revealed that although the incidence of complications due to superior petrosal vein obliteration is low, preservation should be attempted since the sequelae might be worse than the natural history of the existing pathology.<sup>2</sup> </p><p>The superior petrosal vein has also been implied in trigeminal neuralgia due to venous neurovascular conflict.<sup>3</sup></p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>The anatomical course of the superior petrosal vein was first described by <strong>Walter E. Dandy</strong><sup>1</sup>, highlighting its relation to the trigeminal nerve and cerebellum, and its significance during surgery for <a href="/articles/trigeminal-neuralgia">trigeminal neuralgia</a>.</p>
References changed:
- 1. Haller S, Etienne L, Kövari E, Varoquaux A, Urbach H, Becker M. Imaging of Neurovascular Compression Syndromes: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Hemifacial Spasm, Vestibular Paroxysmia, and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2016;37(8):1384-92. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A4683">doi:10.3174/ajnr.A4683</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26892985">Pubmed</a>
- 2. Narayan V, Savardekar A, Patra D et al. Safety Profile of Superior Petrosal Vein (The Vein of Dandy) Sacrifice in Neurosurgical Procedures: A Systematic Review. Neurosurg Focus. 2018;45(1):E3. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3171/2018.4.FOCUS18133">doi:10.3171/2018.4.FOCUS18133</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29961377">Pubmed</a>
- 1. Haller, S., Etienne, L., Kövari, E., Varoquaux, A. D., Urbach, H., & Becker, M. (2016). Imaging of neurovascular compression syndromes: trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, vestibular paroxysmia, and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. American Journal of
- 2. Narayan, V., Savardekar, A. R., Patra, D. P., Mohammed, N., Thakur, J. D., Riaz, M., & Nanda, A. (2018). Safety profile of superior petrosal vein (the vein of Dandy) sacrifice in neurosurgical procedures: a systematic review. Neurosurgical focus, 45(1), E3.
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