A rare appearance of the trigeminocardiac reflex during resection of posterior parasagittal meningioma

Background: Although a well-recognized phenomenon of the tentorium and posterior fossa, the trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) has been rarely reported during surgery involving the posterior falx cerebri.

Case description: We present the case of a 63-year-old woman who underwent repeat resection of an atypical parasagittal meningioma involving the posterior falx. During resection, TCR was repeatedly elicited during manipulation and coagulation of the falx. Air embolism and cardiac etiologies were initially considered while TCR was not suspected, given the location. Ultimately, TCR was recognized when asystole self-resolved upon cessation of stimulus and due to its reproducibility.

Conclusion: Awareness by the anesthesiologist and neurosurgeon of the possibility of TCR during falcine procedures can help with rapid identification to avoid a potentially catastrophic outcome.