Posterior fossa, decompression

Danish SF, Samdani A, Hanna A, Storm P, Sutton L. Experience with aceUular human dura and bovine coUagen matrix for duraplasty after posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformations. JNeurosurg 2006 104(Suppl.l) 16-20. 

Patients who become acutely or subacutely comatose have a very poor prognosis. However, if there is little evidence of primary brainstem infarction, drainage of any hydrocephalus and/or decompression of the posterior fossa may sometimes be followed by relatively good-quality survival. 

Surgery for hemifecial spasm involves microvascular decompression of the fecial nerve by placement of a sponge under posterior fossa vessels (Jannetta procedure). Surgery for hemifecial spasm is associated with cure rates exceeding 80%, and beyond 2 years there appears to be little risk of relapse. However, surgical intervention can have serious complications such as permanent facial paralysis, deafness, stroke, and even death. 

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