posterior fossa decompression
Also written as: PFD — posterior fossa decompression
Surgical procedure involving removal of bone from the back of the skull to relieve pressure on the brainstem and cerebellum.
Full Definition
Posterior fossa decompression is a neurosurgical procedure designed to enlarge the space available for the cerebellum and brainstem by removing portions of the occipital bone and sometimes the upper cervical vertebrae. The procedure typically includes a suboccipital craniectomy and may involve duraplasty to further expand the available space. This surgery is most commonly performed to treat Chiari malformations, posterior fossa tumors, or other conditions causing crowding in this critical anatomical region. The goal is to restore normal cerebrospinal fluid flow and relieve compression of neural structures.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as PFD in surgical notes; specify if duraplasty is included as this affects complexity and outcomes.
In Context
- "The patient underwent posterior fossa decompression with C1 laminectomy for symptomatic Chiari I malformation." — Operative report