Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis complicating neck dissection

Abstract

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis following neck dissection is a rare occurrence, with little reported in the literature. Dominant internal jugular vein anatomy may be evident on pre-operative imaging. An awareness of this complication may be helpful to surgeons contemplating sacrifice of the internal jugular vein.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis: a late complication of head and neck surgery

“…There is a scarcity of the literature on CST occurring in the setting of neck dissection and infratemporal fossa clearance. There are a few reported cases of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis or abducens nerve palsy occurring after neck dissection 5 6. The most common symptomatology of intracranial hypertension occurring as a sequel to neck dissection is severe headache, nausea, vomiting and even seizures.…”