Table 1.

Risk factors for developing vasospasm following tumour resection.

• Intra-operative haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage

• Preoperative vessel encasement and vessel compression/narrowing

• Sellar location and supra-sellar extension

• Mechanical stretching and manipulation, particularly of the vasculature

• Hypothalamic dysfunction

• Spillage of tumour contents

• Vasoactive materials and antigens released by the tumour, e.g. platelet-derived growth factor

• Meningitis