Postoperative epidural hematoma covering the galeal flap in pediatric patients with moyamoya disease: clinical manifestation, risk factors, and outcomes

Comparison of Bifrontal Craniotomy and Multiple Burr Hole Encephalogaleoperiosteal-Synangiosis for Pediatric Moyamoya Disease: An Experience of 346 Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a steno-occlusive disease treated with revascularization surgery. Craniotomy and multiple burr hole encephalogaleoperiosteal-synangiosis (EGPS) are used for revascularization of the anterior cerebral artery territory. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome between the 2 surgical methods in pediatric patients with MMD.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with MMD who underwent bifrontal indirect bypass surgery was performed. Clinical features, perioperative data, and angiographic, perfusion, and functional outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the perioperative characteristics and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 346 patients were included in this study, 111 patients underwent bifrontal craniotomy EGPS, and 235 patients had bifrontal multiple burr hole EGPS. An insignificant higher rate of postoperative infarction (11.7% vs 5.5%, P = .072) and more postoperative hemorrhage occurred in the craniotomy EGPS group (3.6% vs 0%, P = .004). Of the 83 patients selected with propensity score matching for each group, the duration of operation was shorter ( P < .001) and the amount of intraoperative bleeding was significantly less in the multiple burr hole EGPS group ( P = .008). There was no difference in clinical outcomes between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Bifrontal multiple burr hole EGPS has benefits over craniotomy with shorter surgical time, less intraoperative bleeding, fewer postoperative complications, and comparable perfusion and functional outcomes. Multiple burr hole EGPS is a safe and effective method that might be considered for revascularization of the anterior cerebral artery territory in pediatric patients with MMD.

Complications following Encephalo-Duro-Arterio-Myo-Synangiosis in a case of Moyamoya disease

We report a case of an 18-year-old girl diagnosed to have Moyamoya disease (MMD), who underwent bilateral encephalo-duro-arterio-myo-synangiosis. Literature search has clearly inferred that in comparison to an adult patient, children with MMD can have a good prognosis if early diagnosis and active surgical intervention are achieved. Evidence has demonstrated that active surgical management, including indirect bypass surgery, may improve the cerebral circulation on a relatively larger scale than direct bypass surgeries, which can only improve the cerebral circulation in the area of the vascular reconstruction.

Postoperative Symptomatic Cerebral Infarction in Pediatric Moyamoya Disease: Risk Factors and Clinical Outcome

BACKGROUND

Indirect bypass surgery is used to improve the hemodynamic status of pediatric patients with moyamoya disease (MMD). Symptomatic cerebral infarction during the early postoperative period may be the most frustrating complication. This study was conducted to investigate the factors associated with early postoperative symptomatic cerebral infarction.

METHODS

Between January 2000 and February 2014, we performed 1241 indirect bypass surgeries in 659 pediatric MMD patients. Symptomatic infarction during the early postoperative period was diagnosed in 63 operations in 61 patients.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of symptomatic cerebral infarction after indirect bypass surgery was 5.1%. The median age of the patients with postoperative infarction was 6 years (mean, 6.4 years; range, 1-15 years). The performance of 2 craniotomies in single operation was associated with a higher rate of cerebral infarction. Moreover, the incidence was higher in young patients (age <6 years) compared with older patients. In a matched analysis, an immediate postoperative hemoglobin level >13 g/dL was associated with decreased risk of infarction (odds ratio, 0.144; P = 0.003). Mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene occurred in a relatively high proportion of our infarction cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative symptomatic infarctions can occur despite a unified surgical method and formulaic perioperative management protocol. Patient-centered factors, such as young age, genetic background of MTHFR, and certain medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism, renovascular hypertension, and hemolytic uremic syndrome, as well as management-related factors, including 2 craniotomies and low immediate postoperative hemoglobin level, could be risk factors for early postoperative symptomatic cerebral infarction.

Surgical Closed Suction Drain Use After Craniotomy for Evacuation of Supratentorial Epidural Hematomas: A Case Series of Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Surgical closed suction drain (SCSDs) are used in a variety of surgical disciplines to prevent postoperative fluid collections. Use of SCSDs has not been well studied in the neurosurgical literature. Practice patterns have varied within our institution with respect to SCSDs after craniotomies for neurotrauma. In this study we describe SCSD use for patients undergoing evacuation of supratentorial epidural hematomas (EDHs) and examine the effect on patient outcomes and length of hospital stay.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of craniotomies for supratentorial EDH performed at our Level I trauma center between May 2015 and May 2018. Imaging and clinical data were obtained from chart review.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients with EDH received operations from 8 attending surgeons. The number of drains used was 0 or 1 in 36 cases and 2 or more in 16 cases. Drain location was subgaleal in 25 cases, epidural in 8 cases, and both subgaleal and epidural in 13 cases. Attending preference (P < 0.001) but not hematoma size was associated with use of an epidural drain and use of 2 or more drains. After controlling for age, initial neurologic exam, and presence of other injuries, use of more drains was associated with longer intensive care unit lengths of stay. Drain use pattern was not associated with patient outcome measures, and no return to the operating room was necessary for residual or recurrent EDH.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of fewer SCSDs did not affect radiographic outcome after evacuation of epidural hematomas but was associated with decreased intensive care unit length of stay.

Preservation of the Arachnoid Membrane During Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis Reduces Postoperative Complications without Undermining the Surgical Outcome in Pediatric Moyamoya Disease

BACKGROUND

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) is a commonly used indirect revascularization operation method to treat pediatric patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD). Arachnoid dissection frequently has been performed during the EDAS operation to promote better revascularization. However, no studies have yet proven its surgical benefits. In this study, we investigated the impact of arachnoid preservation on the surgical outcome and postoperative complication by comparing pediatric patients with MMD who had the arachnoid membrane preserved during EDAS operation with those who had it dissected.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study based on a single surgeon's experience at a single institution. A total of 206 pediatric patients with MMD who underwent EDAS operation at Seoul National University Children's Hospital were recruited for the study. We compared the surgical outcome and the postoperation complication rate of these 2 groups. Furthermore, risk factors for postoperative complication were analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall clinical outcome (P = 0.342) and the extent of revascularization of middle cerebral artery territories (P = 0.736) were not different between the arachnoid dissection group and the arachnoid preservation group. However, the postoperative infarction/hemorrhage rate was significantly greater in the arachnoid dissection group (P = 0.005). Arachnoid dissection (P = 0.011) and young age (<3 years old, P = 0.012) were significantly associated with increased risk of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Arachnoid preservation may help to reduce postoperative complications without decreasing the surgical outcome of EDAS. Furthermore, factors such as the patient's age should be taken into account when treating pediatric patients with MMD.

Moyamoya Disease: Treatment and Outcomes

Although the pathogenesis of moyamoya disease (MMD) has not been fully elucidated, the effectiveness of surgical revascularization in preventing stroke has been addressed by many studies. The main mechanism of surgical revascularization is augmenting the intracranial blood flow using an external carotid system by either direct bypass or pial synangiosis. This can improve resting cerebral blood flow as well as vascular reserve capacity. For direct revascularization, the superficial temporal artery is used as the donor artery in most cases, although the occipital artery may be used in limited cases. Usually, the cortical branch of the middle cerebral artery is selected as the recipient of direct anastomosis. As for indirect revascularization, various techniques using different kinds of connective tissues have been introduced. In some cases, reinforcing the anterior cerebral artery and the posterior cerebral artery territories can be considered. The effectiveness of surgical revascularization for preventing ischemic stroke had been generally accepted by many studies. However, for preventing hemorrhagic stroke, new evidence has been added by a recent randomized controlled trial. The incidence of peri-operative complications such as stroke and hyperperfusion syndrome seems to be high due to the nature of the disease and technical demands for treatment. Preventing and adequately managing these complications are essential for ensuring the benefits of surgery.