Cerebral cortical veins in otologic surgery.

Proximity of the cerebral cortical veins to the overlying dura predisposes them to surgical injury. Labbé's vein, draining a major portion of the posterior temporal and inferior parietal lobes, occurs on the left in 77% and on the right in 66% of patients. Interruption of this vein during otologic surgery may produce devastating neurologic consequences. In this regard, the roentgenographic anatomy of cerebral cortical venous drainage is reviewed. Technical treatment of the temporal dura should include those techniques familiar to the neurosurgeon that ensure the pretection of the temporal lobe and its superficial venous drainage.