Continuous measurement of jugular venous bulb oxygen saturation in neurosurgical patients

Monitoring cerebral oxygen availability and utilization is of the utmost importance for patients with brain insults or potentially at risk of brain oxygen deprivation. The availability of the continuous measurement of oxygen saturation in the jugular bulb questions the value of this parameter as an indicator of brain oxygenation. This article reviews the theoretical background and the practical aspects of this monitoring. It describes its possible applications to neurosurgical patients in the operating theater as well as in the intensive therapy unit. Finally, it comments on its main limitations which could impede an extensive utilization in clinical practice.