Sitting supracerebellar infratentorial approach for resection of posterior fossa arteriovenous malformation

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the posterior fossa represent just 5%–15% of all intracranial AVMs. Rupture often leads to devastating brainstem compression, with mortality reported as high as 67%. A life-saving decompressive craniectomy with or without hematoma evacuation may be necessary in the acute setting to alleviate mass effect before proceeding with definitive treatment of the vascular pathology. Here, the authors demonstrate the utility of using a generously sized temporizing decompressive suboccipital craniectomy to subsequently allow for a more judicious resection of a Spetzler-Martin grade III AVM fed by the right superior cerebellar artery using a sitting supracerebellar infratentorial approach.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/L195wmw3p_4