Superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass. A detailed analysis of multiple pre- and postoperative angiograms in 40 consecutive patients.

Pre- and postoperative angiograms on 40 patients undergoing superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass surgery have been examined in detail. Multiple postoperative angiograms have been obtained to evaluate the change in both the bypass circuit and the intracranial circulation over time. A reproducible system for evaluating the degree of intracranial vascular filling via the bypass is introduced. The study shows that the STA and its anastomotic branch increase in size over time, measured in months, in the majority of patients. This is paralleled by a progressive increase in the degree of intracranial vascular filling. These changes are proportional to the severity of the vascular disease before surgery. The pattern of preoperative collateral circulation may change over time following the addition of the bypass circuit. The progressive change over time suggests that a static analysis at one time may belie the true effect of the surgery. The change of collateral circulation with augmentation of blood supply to areas of the brain other than those affected by the recent ischemic event, means that a total cerebral evaluation including neuropsychological testing may be necessary for adequate evaluation of the effect of the bypass surgery.     

Late stenosis of a superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass: angiographic and histological findings

The course of a patient with an initially widely patent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass and an enlarged donor vessel is presented. Over 17 months, the STA became markedly stenotic. Serial angiography is correlated with autopsy histological findings showing severe atherosclerotic changes throughout the donor vessel. The potential causative factors, both medical and surgical, are discussed and the appropriate literature is reviewed. Parallels are drawn from the cardiac bypass experience. The bypass itself may have precipitated or accelerated intimal hyperplasia, which stenosed (and may have eventually occluded) the vessel. Is this phenomenon more frequent than we realize?     

Superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis in Moyamoya disease

Summary A 41-year-old Libyan woman with Moyamoya disease and persisting post-stroke neurological deficits was treated by a superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis. The postoperative angiograms revealed that the STA was rapidly irrigating the territory of the middle cerebral artery including those regions that had been filled preoperatively via different networks of collaterals. Furthermore prompt venous drainage was seen to occur postoperatively. Following surgery EEG analyses revealed considerable increase in the electrical brain activity, and neurological examinations showed reversal of neurological deficits. The dependence of the postoperative neurological improvement on the increased cerebral blood supply through the new collateral channel could be demonstrated by the effect of temporary occlusion of the STA on the electrical brain activity.     

Superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis associated with glioblastoma multiforme.

The authors report a case in which glioblastoma multiforme was intimately associated with a surgical anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery to a branch of the middle cerebral artery.     

Combined subclavian-external carotid and superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass graft

A variation of a superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass is presented that can serve as a surgical alternative to long vein subclavian-middle cerebral artery grafting in patients with common carotid artery occlusion and symptoms of ipsilateral ischemia. A vein graft from the subclavian to the external carotid artery at the carotid bifurcation is performed simultaneously with a standard superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass. Advantages of this procedure over a long subclavian-middle cerebral artery vein graft are the technical simplicity associated with a standard superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass, higher patency rates, and lower risk of graft leakage or torsion. Three patients have undergone this procedure, and all had patent bypasses one year after operation.     

Superficial temporal artery to proximal middle cerebral artery anastomosis: clinical and angiographic long term results

Anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery (STA) with a proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) has been proposed as a new cerebral revascularization technique alternative to the conventional bypass on the cortical surface. We introduced this procedure in our surgical practice in 1982 for patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms not suitable for direct repair in whom occlusion of the ICA is considered necessary. One patient died because a conventional STA-MCA bypass did not prevent a major stroke caused by a therapeutic ICA occlusion. We are reporting our surgical technique and the immediate and long term clinical and angiographic results in five cases operated on during the period June 19, 1982, through January 19, 1983. The early and late patency rates were good. No neurological complications were observed after the bypass procedure or during a 3-year follow-up period. In our opinion, the use of proximal segments of the MCA as recipient arteries for supratentorial revascularization is a good alternative to the use of cortical surface arteries and, in selected cases, could be the first choice technique.     

Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass

The superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass is an elegant procedure that was developed and first performed by M. Gazi Ya?argil. It has been used by neurosurgeons for more than 30 years in the management of neurovascular disorders such as cerebrovascular ischemic disease, moyamoya disease, and complex intracranial aneurysms. Mastering the technique requires not only precise and fine skills but also devoted training in the microsurgery laboratory. The technique presented in this article evolved from the long and vast experience of the senior author (DWN) in performing superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypasses for a variety of cerebrovascular conditions.     

Superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass grafting for cerebral revascularization

Superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass procedures are an important tool in the armamentarium of cerebrovascular surgeons for the treatment of carotid occlusion and revascularization for complex aneurysms and brain tumors. This article enumerates the essential steps in performing superficial temporal artery-to-middle cerebral artery bypass procedures. The nuances of this technique reflect the extensive experience of the senior authors.     

Seizure following superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis in patients with moyamoya disease: possible contribution of postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion

Surgical revascularization for moyamoya disease prevents cerebral ischemic attacks by improving cerebral blood flow (CBF). Seizure is known as a rare complication after revascularization for moyamoya disease, although its underlying mechanism is undetermined. We investigated the relationship between seizure attack and postoperative alteration in CBF in patients with moyamoya disease. CBF was routinely measured by N-isopropyl-p-[123I] iodpamphetamine (123I-IMP-SPECT) 1 and 7 days after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis on 64 sides of the 44 consecutive patients (male:female = 13:31, 2-62 years old) with moyamoya disease. Three patients (male:female = 1:2, 40-55 years old) suffered from seizure attack at 1 to 10 days after surgery. Two of the three patients manifested as seizures at 8-10 days after surgery and presented transient neurologic deteriolation before seizure. Postoperative SPECT revealed significant increase in CBF at the sites of the anastomosis in all three patients. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed no ischemic changes, and magnetic resonance angiography showed the apparently patent STA-MCA anastomosis as thick high signal intensity sign in all three patients. The anatomical location and the temporal profile of hyperperfusion were completely in accordance with the focus of seizure attack. Intensive blood pressure control and the use of antiepileptic agents were instituted. The neurologic deficits were resolved and no seizure attack recurred in three patients. Seizure following STA-MCA anastomosis can be caused by hyperperfusion in patients with moyamoya disease. When seizure attacks occur, routine CBF measurement is recommended to differentiate hyperperfusion and ischemia, since the treatments for these conditions are contradictory.     

Rupture of previously unruptured giant carotid aneurysm after superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery bypass and internal carotid occlusion

A 51-year-old woman with an unruptured giant aneurysm of the internal carotid artery was treated by gradual occlusion of the internal carotid artery in the neck combined with a superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass graft. Visual field defects improved after the operation, and thrombosis of the aneurysm was confirmed by angiography and computed tomography. Nevertheless, a fatal hemorrhage occurred 34 days after the final turn of the Selverstone clamp. The possible mechanism of rupture of the apparently thrombosed aneurysm is discussed. There is a risk of rupture of the aneurysm as long as the aneurysmal lumen remains after proximal ligation, no matter how small it may be.     

Superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery double bypass via a small craniotomy: technical note

Frontotemporal craniotomy is usually necessary to perform superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) double bypass for cerebrovascular occlusive disease. This report describes a less invasive technique of double bypass through a small craniotomy with minimum skin incision. Thirty-four consecutive patients underwent an elective STA-MCA double bypass via a small craniotomy from January 2006 to October 2009. The parietal and frontal branches of the STA were divided through a minimum linear or y-shaped skin incision, and these branches were anastomosed to the supra- and infrasylvian portions of the MCA. No periprocedural complication such as subdural hematoma or cutaneous necrosis occurred. Postoperative cerebral angiography within 6 months showed that the bypasses were patent in all 34 patients. Double STA-MCA bypass via a small craniotomy might be less invasive, especially for patients at high risk for postoperative hemorrhagic complication or cutaneous necrosis.     

Regional cerebral blood flow studies following superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis.

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) studies were performed during the postoperative period on 16 patients with internal carotid occlusions and inaccessible stenoses, and middle cerebral artery occlusion and stenoses, who underwent superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomoses. The intra-arterial xenon method with selective application of the xenon bolus through the internal carotid and the newly established superficial temporal channel has allowed comparison of the flow provided by the pathological input with flow through the new input. The results show that initial rCBF (rCBF1) was globally reduced in all patients to a mean of 28.4 +/- 11.9 ml/100 gm/min at a mean pCO2 of 29.6 +/- 9.55 mm Hg. Patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and minor strokes with minimal residua (RIND) had a mean rCBF1 of 30.4 +/- 11.6 ml/100 gm/min at a mean pCO2 of 30 +/- 10 mm Hg, while patients with completed strokes had a mean rCBF1 of 25.0 +/- 12.4 ml/100 gm/min at a mean pCO2 of 29.1 +/- 8.8 mm Hg. There was no significant difference between these two groups. This finding suggests that in this small group of patients with TIA's and RIND's, the cause of the stroke is probably related more to decreased perfusion than embolus, and may explain why these patients' symptoms improve after STA-MCA anastomosis. The results of this study suggest that in addition to an inaccessible lesion, global or focal decreased rCBF is a necessary criterion in the definition of indications for intracranial revascularization procedures.     

Skeletonization of gastroepiploic artery graft in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: early clinical and angiographic assessment

BACKGROUND: Recently skeletonization has been recognized as an alternative to pedicle harvesting of the internal thoracic artery as a technique that increases the length and caliber size of the graft compared with pedicled internal thoracic artery grafts; however, this is not yet popular for harvesting the gastroepiploic artery (GEA). We report here our experience of skeletonized GEA grafting in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with early clinical and angiographic results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate skeletonization of GEA grafting in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with a large patient volume. METHODS: One hundred sixty-eight patients including 131 men and 37 women (mean age, 65 years; range, 45 to 87 years) underwent the skeletonized GEA grafting in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. These patients represent 41% (168 of 407 patients) of those who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting operations during the same period. We used the GEA graft of choice in patients with right coronary artery lesion. Skeletonization was performed in a unique manner we developed. RESULTS: There were no in-hospital deaths among the study patients. One patient had a perioperative myocardial infarction, which was considered a result of vasospasm of the GEA graft. None of the other patients had severe morbidity. The patency rate of the skeletonized GEA graft was 98.1% (151 of 154 distal anastomoses). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that skeletonization of the GEA graft can enlarge its caliber size and improve its flow capacity. In addition, the acceptable early clinical and angiographic outcome suggests that use of the skeletonized GEA graft in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is safe and effective.     

Regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen utilization in superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis patients: an exploratory definition of clinical problems.

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional cerebral oxygen utilization (rCMRO2) were measured before and after surgery in nine patients undergoing a superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis to bypass cerebrovascular lesions not amenable to extracranial operative procedures. The objective of these studies was to determine whether measurements of this type could provide objective criteria for surgery as well as assess the effect of surgery. The preliminary data, although limited, suggest that measurements of regional cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in these patients before and after surgery provide valuable data upon which to develop criteria and assess results. For example, 1) a significant depression of rCBF and rCMRO2 in patients in whom a major cerebral infarction has not occurred, or 2) relative preservation of rCMRO2 despite depressed rCBF seem to be favorable indications for establishing a functioning STA-MCA anastomosis. In such patients, STA-MCA anastomosis can be followed by a return of rCBJ and rCMRO2 to virtually normal levels. Relatively normal rCBF and rCMRO2 in the presence of an occluded internal carotid artery in asymptomatic patients indicates satisfactory collateral circulation and is probably a contraindication to surgery.     

Neuromuscular scoliosis: clinical evaluation pre- and postoperative

Neuromuscular scoliosis concerns a wide variety of disorders, all with a different approach to surgical intervention. The impact of these disorders on a patient is discussed in terms of pulmonary, cardiac, bowel and bladder function and complications in the perioperative and postoperative period such as gastric ulcers, pathologic fractures, wound healing, and nutrition is described. These difficult patients need a multidisciplinary approach. The 'Utrecht team' set-up is described in an 'as we do it' way. Items on preoperative clinical and radiological examination are provided, as well as points of special attention in perioperative care. Early detection, decision-making and intervention makes it possible to correct and stabilize the spine in these children with a short stay in hospital and a quick recovery.     

Observations on moyamoya disease: a case treated with superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis

A 24-year-old Caucasian woman with Moyamoya disease was treated by a superficial temporal, middle cerebral artery anastomosis. Her pre and postoperative angiograms revealed that the telangiectatic network in the region of the basal ganglion served as a transcerebral collateral circulation from the internal carotid artery proximal to its occlusion to the cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. The transit through two capillary systems (basal ganglia and cortical) explains the slow circulation time. Prompt venous drainage was seen to occur once a more direct collateral supply was established by the superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery anastomosis.