Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Neurosurgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Internal maxillary artery (IMax)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass has been recently described as an alternative to cervical extracranial-intracranial bypass. This technique uses a keyhole craniectomy in the temporal fossa that requires a technically challenging end-to-side anastomosis.OBJECTIVE:To describe a lateral subtemporal craniectomy of the middle cranial fossa floor to facilitate wide exposure of the IMax to facilitate bypass.METHODS:Orbitozygomatic osteotomy is used followed by frontotemporal craniotomy and subsequently laterotemporal fossa craniectomy, reaching its medial border at a virtual line connecting the foramen rotundum and foramen ovale. The IMax was identified by using established anatomic landmarks, neuronavigation, and micro Doppler probe (Mizuho Inc. Tokyo, Japan). Additionally, we studied the approach in a cadaveric specimen in preparation for microsurgical bypass.RESULTS:There were 4 cases in which the technique was used. One bypass was performed for flow augmentation in a hypoperfused hemisphere. The other 3 were performed as part of treatment paradigms for giant middle cerebral artery aneurysms. Vein grafts were used in all patients. The proximal anastomosis was performed in an end-to-side fashion in 1 patient and end-to-end in 3 patients. Intraoperative graft flow measured with the Transonic flow probe ranged from 20 to 60 mL/min. Postoperative angiography demonstrated good filling of the graft with robust distal flow in all cases. All patients tolerated the procedure well.CONCLUSION:IMax to middle cerebral artery subcranial-intracranial bypass is safe and efficacious. The laterotemporal fossa craniectomy technique resulted in reliable identification and wide exposure of the IMax, facilitating the proximal anastomosis.

Volume Number

75

Issue Number

1

Pages

87-95

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2014/03/13

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Otolaryngology

Additional Departments

Radiology; Neurosurgery

PMID

24618804

DOI

10.1227/neu.0000000000000340


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