Microsurgical anatomy of the superior petrosal venous complex: new classifications and implications for subtemporal transtentorial and retrosigmoid suprameatal approaches

Abstract

Object. The purpose of this study was to define the patterns of drainage of the superior petrosal venous complex (SPVC) along the petrous ridge in relation to the Meckel cave and internal acoustic meatus (IAM) and to delineate its effect on the surgical exposures obtained in subtemporal transtentorial and retrosigmoid suprameatal approaches.