Abstract

MUCI-MENDOZA, Rafael. Congestión venosa cerebral aguda: Vaciamiento radical del cuello por cáncer e hipertensión intracraneal. Gac Méd Caracas [online]. 2006, vol.114, n.4, pp.318-323. ISSN 0367-4762.

Neck dissection is one of the commonest procedures performed by head and neck surgeons. Since its introduction, this procedure has had a significant impact on the control of regional metastatic diseases from head and neck cancers. Unilateral radical neck dissection involves resection of the yugular internal vein considered to be the most important pathway for venous blood returning from the brain. Depending on the available venous collaterals, its occlusion can lead to a venous outflow obstruction and acute venous congestion which may result in raised intracranial pressure and symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri. We report two of such cases in which the dominant right yugular vein were resected for malignant melanoma and thyroid papillary carcinoma resulting in intracranial hypertension. Papilledema and sixth nerve palsy developed in one patient, and papilledema, brachial plexus injury, preganglionic Horner’s syndrome and spinal nerve injury in the other. A unique retinophotographic sequence on the development and regression of papilledema in one of the patients is showed. The literature is revisited.

Keywords : Radical neck dissection; Pseudotumor cerebri; Intracranial hypertension; Malignant melanoma; Thyroid papillary carcinoma..