“Reverse” superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass

A new technical variant on the superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis was performed in a patient with occlusions of both the left internal and external carotid arteries and persistent ischemic symptomatology. Instead of anastomosing the proximal segment of the superficial temporal artery to the middle cerebral artery as is conventionally done, the distal segment of the superficial temporal artery was anastomosed to a cortical branch of the left middle cerebral artery. Reconstituted flow of the left superficial temporal artery via right superficial temporal artey collateral branches proved adequate to relieve the patient's ischemic episodes. “Reverse” superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis should be considered in those cases where occlusive disease of the external carotid circulation renders conventional bypass procedures ineffective in the treatment of ischemic symptomatology.     

A case of calvarial metastasis of thyroid carcinoma with intraorbital extension

A 63-year-old man came to our hospital with complaints of exophthalmos and a tumor in the right temporal region. Physical examination revealed not only these findings but also a tumor in the right lateral side of the neck. Plain skull X-ray showed radiolucent area with irregular non-sclerotic margin in the right temporal region of the skull and erosion of the lateral half of the right minor sphenoid wing. Post-contrast CT demonstrated a homogeneously enhanced tumor in the right temporal region with extracranial and intracranial extension, partly invading the right orbita, which compressed the eyeball anterioinferiorly. On MRI (TR 500msec, TE 30msec), the tumor showed an isointensity area with a thin rim of low intensity. Right external carotid angiography revealed the numerous tumor vessels fed by the middle meningeal artery, the accessory meningeal artery and the anterior branch of the superficial temporal artery. On right internal carotid angiography, it was shown that the branches of the right ophthalmic artery were also feeding the tumor. 99Tc scintigraphy demonstrated the areas of increased radionuclide concentration in the skull and neck lesion. Preoperative embolization of the tumor vessels fed by the external carotid artery system was performed. Chopped gelfoam serving as embolization material were injected through a transfemoral catheter, selectively placed into the external carotid artery. Following this procedure, the numerous tumor vessels disappeared completely.     

Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunct to acute revascularization of the brain

Two recent cases suggest that hyperbaric oxygen may be an important adjunct to the surgical treatment of occlusion of major cerebral arteries within the first few hours after onset of neurological deficit. In both patients, one with an embolus to the right middle cerebral artery and one with a surgical occlusion of the left internal carotid artery, circulation to the ischemic area was restored more than eight hours after occlusion. In the patient with the middle cerebral artery embolus, hemiplegia cleared after a six-minute exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. The patient with occlusion of the internal carotid artery was revascularized by anastomosis of a superficial temporal artery less than 1 mm in diameter to a branch of the middle cerebral artery. Her hemiplegia and aphasia cleared rapidly and concomitantly with intermittent exposure to hyperbaric oxygen during the first nine postoperative days. Postoperative angiograms demonstrated patency in both cases. The implications of these observations are discussed.     

Ipsilateral subclavian to external carotid and STA-MCA bypasses for retinal ischemia

The surgical treatment of a patient with retinal ischemia in the left eye and occlusion of the left common and internal carotid and right internal carotid arteries is presented. After demonstration of filling of the left external carotid artery from vertebral collaterals, as saphenous vein graft from the left subclavian to the left external carotid artery was performed prior to a left superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. This case demonstrates the feasibility of revascularization in the presence of occlusion of the ipsilateral common and internal carotid arteries.     

Proximal superficial temporal artery to proximal middle cerebral artery bypass using a radial artery graft: an anatomic approach

We present the use of radial artery graft for bypass of the proximal superficial temporal artery to the proximal middle cerebral artery. Six adult cadaver sites were used bilaterally. After apterional incision, 2×2-cm minicraniectomy was performed which began 2 cm behind the zygomatic process of the frontal bone. The superficial temporal artery was transsected before exposing the zygomatico-orbital artery branch. The proximal side of the radial artery graft was anastomosed end-to-end to the proximal superficial temporal artery and the distal side end-to-side to the proximal middle cerebral artery. The mean calibers of the proximal superficial temporal artery and largest trunk of the middle cerebral artery were 2.25±0.35 mm and 2.3±0.3 mm, respectively. The average graft length was 85±5.5 mm. We conclude that such bypasses are simpler than proximal middle cerebral artery revascularization using long vein grafts. This method proves that the caliber of the proximal superficial temporal artery is more suited to providing sufficient flow than the distal superficial temporal artery, and the graft is short. Such bypasses to the middle cerebral artery may be an alternative to those from the distal superficial temporal artery or extracranial carotid artery.     

Subacute subdural hematoma associated with moyamoya phenomenon--a case report

A case of subacute subdural hematoma associated with moyamoya phenomenon is reported. On May 8, 1986, a 61-year-old female was referred to Mito National Hospital for evaluation of a left-sided hemiparesis and headache 8 days after minor head injury. Seventeen years ago she experienced the sudden onset of a left-sided hemiparesis which improved by rehabilitation. CT scans showed a thin high density area on the right cerebral convexity and a small low density area in the right semiovale center. On May 12, she was admitted because of aggravation of her symptoms. A repeat CT scan showed an enlarged right temporoparietal subdural hematoma with significant mass effect. Cerebral angiograms revealed the occlusion of right internal carotid artery. There were so-called moyamoya vessels bilaterally and transdural anastomosis on the right side. Avascular area confirmed subdural hematoma. The hematoma was evacuated via two burr holes with preservation of the middle meningeal and superficial temporal arteries. By the time of discharge two months postoperatively, she was walking well without assistance. We reviewed four cases of acute or subacute subdural hematoma associated with moyamoya phenomenon and emphasized the possibility of occurrence of acute or subacute subdural hematoma due to rupture of vault moyamoya vessels.     

Bilateral segmental absence of the internal carotid artery with rete compensation associated with absence of basilar artery: case report

BACKGROUND: Bilateral ICA absence is a rare lesion. Collateral circulation to the middle and anterior cerebral arteries in the absence of one or both ICAs may develop transcranial anastomoses from the external carotid system, a so-called CRM. Very rarely, theses arterial channels are observed in humans. CASE DESCRIPTION: In the following case study, a 38-year-old man presented himself. He had a headache and scalp laceration after having had an accident. A right external carotid angiography identified anastomoses to distal intracranial vessel through the internal maxillary artery, but the intracranial vessels were only faintly visible. A right ascending pharyngeal arteriography showed an abnormal course and anastomoses with the intracranial vessel. The right ICA was absent. The left external carotid angiography demonstrated a network of tortous arteries in the region of the cavernous and petrous portion of ICA. The plexus of vessels on the left side communicated with the proximal part of the cavernous segment of the ICA. Both vertebral angiographies demonstrated a sudden diminution in caliber at the level of vertebrobasilar junction. There was an anomalous arterial collateral circulation originating from vertebral muscular and meningeal branch. There was also an absence of the basilar artery (BA). CONCLUSION: This is the first case with CRM associated with bilateral segmental ICA and BA absence. The cause of this bilateral segmental ICA and BA absence may be maldevelopment of vessel connective tissue or extracellular matrix.     

Middle meningeal--middle cerebral artery anastomosis for cerebral ischemia

A new technique of anastomosing the middle meningeal artery to a cortical branch of the middle cerebral artery is described. A case is presented in which the operation was technically successful and the immediate clinical result was good. Long-range follow-up is necessary and a larger series will be needed for study before the merits of the technique can be judged adequately. The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are described, as well as possible indications and future studies.     

Superficial temporal to superior cerebellar artery anastomosis for rostral brain stem infarction

The authors report a case of superficial temporal to superior cerebellar artery anastomosis (STA-SCA anastomosis) for progressing rostral brain stem infarction with an excellent result. Precise operative techniques were also described. A 47-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on November 9, 1984, because of sudden onset of dysarthria and ataxic gait. CT revealed a low density area in the pons. Left vertebral angiogram showed occlusion of the left vertebral artery just distal to the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Arterial branch of the left cerebellar hemisphere were filled via the left PICA to the left SCA and anterior inferior cerebellar artery anastomosis. Right brachial angiogram showed the hypoplastic right vertebral artery which ended at the PICA. The rostral basilar artery, both posterior cerebral arteries (PCA's) and right SCA were filled through anastomosis from the right PICA. The posterior circulation was not filled by either of the carotid arteries. In spite of antiplatelet agglutination therapy, the patient had two more episodes of dysarthria, dysphagia, right hemiparesis and gait disturbance. Because of progressing stroke, STA-SCA anastomosis was carried out on the right side on February 27, 1985. During operation, the blood pressure was maintained above the level of 130 mmHg, and intravenous mannitol injection and spinal drainage were done to preserve the right temporal lobe from intracerebral hematoma and/or edema caused by retraction. Postoperatively, the patient has been free from new ischemic attack. He has only slight hemiparesis now eight months after operation. Right external carotid angiogram showed a patent STA-SCA bypass and good filling of SCA's and PCA's bilaterally.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Extracranial-intracranial bypass to the proximal posterior cerebral artery and to the proximal middle cerebral artery for multiple occlusive cerebrovascular disease

A 48-year-old man with a multiple occlusive cerebrovascular disease involving both the carotid and the vertebrobasilar systems is reported. Faced with noneffective conservative treatment, a surgical approach was carried out. As the patient had poorly developed posterior communicating arteries, two extracranial-intracranial bypasses were performed for both the carotid and the vertebrobasilar circulations; extracranial-intracranial bypasses with interposed saphenous vein grafts between the left external carotid artery and the proximal segment of the left middle cerebral artery, and between the right external carotid artery and the proximal segment of the right posterior cerebral artery. Advantages, precautions, and techniques of this kind of bypass procedure are discussed.     

Transient postoperative occlusion of the superficial temporal--middle cerebral artery branch anastomosis: spasm, swelling, or thrombosis.

Ten superficial temporal-middle cerebral artery branch anastomoses were followed by postoperatvie angiograms. The early angiograms revealed patent anastomosis in six patients. In two patients the superficila temporal artery was severely narrowed and tapered and the cerebral arteries were not visualized. In one the superficial temporal artery was not significantly narrowed but was only patent extracranically. In the remaining patient, the superficial temporal artery was completely occluded. The late angiograms showed the patency of the six originally patent anastomoses, and also complete patency of the three anastomoses in which the cerebral arteries were not visualized.     

Ischemia and revascularization of the middle cerebral territory of the rat brain by manipulation of the blood vessels in the neck

Ischemia of the middle cerebral territory in the rat brain has been produced by anastomosing the right common carotid artery to the right jugular vein, and occluding the left internal and common carotid arteries. Revascularization is performed by ligating the right common carotid artery distal to the arteriovenous anastomosis and removing the clips from the left carotid arteries. The majority of the rats made ischemic deteriorated progressively and died if revascularization was not carried out, but only 10% of them died if the operation was performed within one hour, although the rate rose to 90% if the operation was delayed for 4 hours.     

Treatment of ruptured fusiform aneurysm in the posterior cerebral artery with posterior cerebral artery-superior cerebellar artery anastomosis combined with parent artery occlusion: case report

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of a fusiform aneurysm in the PCA sometimes requires occlusion of the parent artery. In such cases, reconstruction of the PCA may prevent the development of postoperative visual field defects. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 30-year-old woman with a fusiform aneurysm in the P2 of the left PCA presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The left superficial temporal artery and OA were hypoplastic. Left temporal craniotomy revealed that the lateromesencephalic ambient segment of the SCA and the posterior half portion of the P2 segment ran parallel and near each other, and that the calibers of both arteries were relatively consistent. Thus, the 2 arteries were anastomosed in a side-to-side fashion, and the anterior half of the left P2 segment was occluded by clipping proximal and distal to the aneurysm that was located at the left P2 segment just distal to the junction to the posterior communicating artery. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, and postoperative cerebral angiography demonstrated resolution of the aneurysm, with perfusion of the left PCA from the left SCA via the anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior cerebral artery-superior cerebellar artery anastomosis is a useful method of achieving PCA reconstruction in the context of a PCA aneurysm requiring occlusion of the parent vessel and when superficial temporal artery or OA-PCA anastomosis cannot be performed.     

左外区活体肝移植动脉的临床应用解剖研究

目的 观察肝左区肝动脉解剖结构，模拟肝左外区活体肝移植动脉切取方法。方法 解剖非肝病死亡之成人甲醛固定尸体肝脏标本30例，观察新鲜成人尸体肝脏铸型标本30例，测量肝左及左外区动脉长度、管径及属支分布情况。结果 左半肝动脉的血供来自肝固有动脉、肝左动脉、肝中动脉，肝外迷走动脉支有左膈下动脉、胃左动脉和胃右动脉，并于不同部位发出后分别进入左外区上、下段。结论 左半肝动脉主要有5种类型，因此解剖变异较多，左外区活体取肝前应仔细研究其结构特点，设计合理的切取模式；移植前肝动脉需进行必要的整形，以便与受体动脉吻合。     

Bilateral ophthalmic origin of the middle meningeal artery

The origin of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) may vary although it can arise from the ophthalmic artery (OA) with a 0.5% prevalence. We report the exceptional bilateral asymmetric origin from the OAs that has not previously been reported in the literature. Surgeons should be aware of this variation as it could be crucial in the setting of an endovascular approach for meningeal lesions, as in our observation. A 50-year-old male underwent a preoperative cerebral digital subtracted angiography that incidentally revealed MMAs arising from the OA on both sides. In fact, the origin was asymmetric because it was complete on the right side with the anterior and posterior branches of the MMA arising from the OA, whereas it was partial on the left side, with only the anterior branch arising from the OA. The CT scan showed the absence of the foramen spinosum only on the right side. This paper discusses the unique anatomic variation in the light of MMA embryology and its different origins. Knowledge of this variation may have a practical impact in cases of cerebral embolization.     

A 10-year follow-up of extracranial–intracranial bypass for the treatment of bilateral giant internal carotid artery aneurysms in a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia: case report

Cervicocephalic fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an idiopathic, non-inflammatory and non-atherosclerotic arteriopathy which usually affects small- and medium-sized cervical arteries distributed at the atlas and axis interspace. Few cervicocephalic FMD patients are associated with multiple intracranial aneurysms which may rupture or develop. So the authors describe a cervicocephalic FMD patient with a history of right oculomotor palsy in 2000. Angiography revealed bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms and a fusiform aneurysm in right vertebral artery. Typical “string-of-beads” phenomenon was observed in V2 segment of left vertebral artery. The right ICA giant aneurysm was treated by right ICA occlusion and superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass at that time. Five years later, the patient presented with paroxysmal weakness in right limbs. The subsequent angiography showed the enlargement of left ICA aneurysm. It was treated satisfactorily with left external carotid artery-saphenous vein-MCA bypass and left ICA ligation. During the long-term follow-up, the patient kept no neurological deficit and the angiography showed good patency of bilateral grafts and the lesions in bilateral vertebral arteries remained unchanged.     

Dissecting aneurysms of the anterior circle of Willis arteries. Report of two cases

Two cases of spontaneous dissecting aneurysm extending from the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery to the middle cerebral artery are reported in two teenaged patients. Both patients collapsed with a headache on the right side, left hemiparesis, and altered consciousness due to cerebral ischemia. One patient became alert in 2 days; however, his condition rapidly deteriorated 4 days later and he died on the 8th day from massive cerebral infarction. The other patient received a right superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis 50 hours after his initial symptoms. He improved gradually and is able to walk without help. Cerebral angiograms 3 months after the operation disclosed progressive attenuation of the MCA and dilatation of the anastomosed STA. Artificial collateral flow demonstrated in the postoperative angiogram may have been useful in preventing massive cerebral infarction.     

Traumatic lesions of the bilateral middle meningeal arteries--case report

A 44-year-old man presented with traumatic injuries of the bilateral middle meningeal arteries after a traffic accident. Neurological examination found left visual impairment due to left optic nerve injury. Computed tomography demonstrated a small amount of left epidural hemorrhage and bilateral skull fractures. Left external carotid angiography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the left middle meningeal artery at the sphenoid ridge. Right external carotid angiography demonstrated a dural arteriovenous fistula fed by the right middle meningeal artery colocated with the right frontal convexity fracture. Transarterial embolization of the left middle meningeal artery pseudoaneurysm with four fibered platinum coils and transarterial embolization of the right dural arteriovenous fistula with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) were performed, resulting in complete obliteration of both lesions. Angiographic cure was obtained and the postoperative course was uneventful.     

Posterior Auricular Artery-Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass: A Rare Superficial Temporal Artery Variant with Well-developed Posterior Auricular Artery—Case Report

The posterior auricular artery (PAA) is one of the branches of the external carotid artery, but is usually too small for use as a donor artery for middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory revascularization. An extremely unusual case of PAA-MCA anastomosis was performed in a patient requiring MCA territory revascularization because the superficial temporal artery (STA) parietal branch was absent and the PAA was large enough. A 65-year-old man developed mild motor weakness in the right extremities caused by multiple small infarctions. Single photon emission computed tomography (CT) revealed deterioration of the vascular reserve capacity in the left MCA area. Cerebral angiography showed severe stenosis in the C2 portion of the left internal carotid artery, absence of the parietal branch of the left STA, and a well-developed PAA extending to the parietal area. The patient underwent STA (frontal branch)-MCA and PAA-MCA double anastomosis, and has suffered no stroke or transient ischemic attack. The STA with no bifurcation is known as a rare variation. The PAA also occurs with size variations but well-developed PAA is thought to be extremely rare. PAA can be used as a donor artery for MCA territory revascularization if the vessel size is suitable. Preoperative evaluation of the anatomy is mandatory for harvesting the arteries.