Letters to the Editor: posterior cerebral artery involvement and pediatric moyamoya diseaes

Direct Anastomosis Using Occipital Artery for Additional Revascularization in Moyamoya Disease After Combined Superficial Temporal Artery–Middle Cerebral Artery and Indirect Bypass

BACKGROUND: The posterior cerebral artery (PCA) is involved in approximately 30% of moyamoya disease (MMD) cases. However, there have been insufficient reports describing revascularization techniques in the posterior portion of the brain, particularly of direct anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a technical assessment in patients with MMD who underwent either occipital artery (OA)–PCA bypass or OA–middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass.

METHODS: A total of 428 revascularization procedures in 368 patients were retrospectively assessed by reviewing clinical charts and radiological data.

RESULTS: Ten patients (3.5%) were treated with direct bypass after the anterior revascularization with a median interval of 30 months (range, 5 months-16 years). Seven patients were < 18 years of age (average age, 17.5 ± 15.6 years). Preoperative symptoms included transient motor deficits involving the lower extremities (n = 5), visual disturbances (n = 6), and cerebral infarctions (n = 6). A favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score < 3) was achieved in 9 of these 10 patients. Direct anastomosis was performed in 3 hemispheres with an OA-MCA bypass and in 8 hemispheres with an OA-PCA bypass. Patency of the direct bypass was confirmed on angiogram in 7 of 7 patients who underwent conventional angiogram performed within 1 year after the surgery. None of the 10 patients demonstrated cerebral infarctions after the posterior revascularization.

CONCLUSION: In MMD, symptomatic PCA regression after anterior revascularization was found predominantly in children and young adults. Direct anastomosis in the posterior portion of the brain can be successfully achieved and is effective in preventing ischemic events.