Effectiveness of modified dural incision to preserve the patency of the occipital sinus in foramen magnum decompression for a patient with Chiari malformation type I.

Conclusion: This dural incision, which is a modification of the method introduced by Pritz, would be a useful FMD option for patients of CM-I with dominant occipital sinus, which would lead to the serious neurological sequelae if the sinus flow is disturbed. In a case associated with large occipital sinus, however, a Y-shaped dural incision needs coagulation to cut off the sinus. DISCUSSION Although Y-shaped dural incisions have been performed after coagulation of the occipital sinus, during FMD for cases of CM-I with the occipital sinus, this has mostly been based on the personal experience of each surgeon. [Extracted from the article]