Giant mastoid emissary vein: Source of profuse bleeding during mastoid surgery

Abstract

The emissary veins are residual connections between intra-cerebral veins and their extra-cranial drainage. Mastoid emissary vein is a rare but definite entity which if not diagnosed preoperatively could be a cause of severe hemorrhage at the time of surgery which may prove to be life threatening. These veins may vary in size from that of a mere thread to that of a wax match or 1/8th-3/8th of an inch. We report one such case of a giant mastoid emissary vein which was opened while operating on mastoid and caused profuse bleeding which could only be controlled by surgical pack.