Skull Base Surgery and Venous Problems

The cerebral venous system is as important as its arterial system. The authors have been studying cerebral venous problems for a long time. In the present study, the authors' have researched venous complications and problems correlated to biomechanical and hemodynamic studies.

The histobiomechanical characteristics of bridging veins and cerebral sinuses were studied with the test system MTS 858.2 Mini Bionix (unique testing system in Europe). The bridging veins have a very low stronghold on longitudinal traction. Sinuses, on the other hand, are very rigid. This might influence blood outflow from the brain in normal physiology and any pathological situation, including head trauma.

The authors developed a special program for modeling the cardiovascular system and the cerebral venous system. In this study, they illustrate the problems of bridging veins and the venous sinuses. From a biomechanical and physiological viewpoint, they propose a venous classification of the cerebral venous system. The remodeling capacity of the cardiovascular system has the potential to change after application of treatment. The authors report on clinical problems and aspects (destruction of bridging veins during trauma, carotid-cavernous fistulas, and venous neurological deficits).