Translabyrinthine Craniotomy Is Associated with Higher Risk of Asymptomatic Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Vestibular Schwannoma Resection

Otol Neurotol. 2023 Dec 1;44(10):1066-1072. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004013. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Abstract

Objective: Characterize the incidence, risk factors, and patient outcomes of dural venous sinus thrombosis identified on postoperative imaging after retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine craniotomy for vestibular schwannoma resection.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Single tertiary academic referral center.

Patients: Eighty-one patients 19 to 82 years of age with vestibular schwannomas, 58% female.

Interventions: Retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine craniotomy with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance venography.

Main outcome measures: Association between operative approach, age, sex, body mass index, tumor size, dominant sinus, operative time, laterality, and perioperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks with rate of thrombosis.

Results: Translabyrinthine craniotomy was associated with the highest relative risk of thrombosis (odds ratios [OR] = 19.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75-224, p = 0.007), followed by male sex (OR = 5.53, 95% CI = 1.63-18.8, p = 0.035). Other patient and demographic risk factors were not associated with increased rates of dural venous thrombosis, nor was there an association with postoperative CSF leak. 81% (25/31) of thrombi had resolved within 3 years of surgery.

Conclusions: Translabyrinthine approach and male sex most strongly predicted postoperative dural venous thrombosis after postauricular craniotomy for vestibular schwannoma resection.

Professional practice gap and educational need: Better understanding of risk factors and management of dural venous thrombosis after vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Learning objective: Characterize clinically significant risk factors for dural venous thrombosis in vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Desired result: Identification of patient and operative risk factors for dural venous thrombosis.

Level of evidence: III.

Indicate irb or iacuc: Exempt.

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / complications
  • Craniotomy / adverse effects
  • Craniotomy / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuroma, Acoustic* / pathology
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / complications
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / surgery
  • Venous Thrombosis* / epidemiology
  • Venous Thrombosis* / etiology