The meningeal branches of the superior cerebellar artery: a surgical observation study

J Neurosurg. 2016 Jan;124(1):244-7. doi: 10.3171/2014.12.JNS141190. Epub 2015 Jul 3.

Abstract

OBJECT The tentorial branch of the posterior cerebral artery was first identified in a cadaver dissection study. However, the tentorial branch of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) has not been clearly described in autopsy or normal anatomical studies. In this study, a dural branch of the SCA that was found during the surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia is described. METHODS Between April 2011 and March 2014, 70 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia underwent microvascular decompression. The records of 58 patients were reviewed to investigate the meningeal branch of the SCA. RESULTS The meningeal branch of the SCA was visualized in 15 of the 58 patients (25.9%). In 4 patients, it was necessary to divide this branch in order to achieve decompression of the trigeminal nerve without eliciting postoperative neurological deficits. CONCLUSIONS This is the first identification of the meningeal branch of the SCA in living subjects, and such branches were rather frequently found. Recognition of this branch is important for the management of lesions in the cerebellopontine angle and tentorial lesions, using either an open microsurgical or endovascular method.

Keywords: SCA = superior cerebellar artery; anatomy; meningeal branch; superior cerebellar artery; surgical observation.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cadaver
  • Cerebellopontine Angle / pathology
  • Cerebellopontine Angle / surgery
  • Cerebellum / anatomy & histology
  • Cerebellum / blood supply
  • Cerebellum / surgery*
  • Cerebral Arteries / anatomy & histology
  • Cerebral Arteries / surgery*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meninges / anatomy & histology
  • Meninges / surgery*
  • Microvascular Decompression Surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / prevention & control
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / pathology
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia / surgery