Resection of Spinal Meningioma: Postoperative Focal Hyperemia

Transient postoperative focal hyperemia in the central nerve system is rare but results in unexpected neurological deterioration. The occurrence of this hyperemia after acute decompression of a chronic lesion has been reported by several authors. The pathogenesis of this sudden increase in focal blood flow remains to be elucidated; however, it is believed that this disturbance in the blood-brain barrier may be caused by acute decompression after a period of chronic compression. Postoperative hyperemia in the spinal cord is reported after the resection of meningiomas. Meningioma is a common spinal tumor, which usually becomes clinically evident with neurological dysfunction in the thoracic region. In this chapter, postoperative focal hyperemia after spinal meningioma resection is discussed with a review of relevant literature.