• Jeroen Hendrikse, Albert van der Zwan, Lino M P Ramos, Cees A F Tulleken, and Jeroen van der Grond.
• Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.hendrikse@azu.nl
• Neurosurgery. 2003 Oct 1; 53 (4): 858-63; discussion 863-5.

ObjectiveHigh-flow, extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass operations are performed to prevent strokes among patients with giant aneurysms who cannot tolerate internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. However, the volume flow through the bypass, compared with preoperative ICA flow, has not been evaluated for any type of bypass. We describe a prospective case study that tested the ability of the high-flow EC-IC bypass to replace the volume flow of the ipsilateral ICA after deliberate ICA occlusion.MethodsSeven consecutive patients with giant aneurysms of the ICA who experienced test occlusion failure underwent nonocclusive, excimer laser-assisted, EC-IC bypass surgery before permanent ICA occlusion. Volume flow values in the ICAs, the basilar artery, the EC-IC bypass, and the middle cerebral arteries were measured with magnetic resonance angiography.ResultsNo significant changes in volume flow to the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres were observed after bypass surgery and therapeutic ICA occlusion. Before bypass surgery, the volume flow through the ipsilateral ICA was 243 +/- 74 ml/min, that through the contralateral ICA was 264 +/- 32 ml/min, and that through the basilar artery was 141 +/- 43 ml/min. After bypass surgery and therapeutic occlusion of the ipsilateral ICA, the volume flow through the bypass was 199 +/- 72 ml/min, that through the contralateral ICA was 303 +/- 82 ml/min, and that through the basilar artery was 153 +/- 72 ml/min. No significant preoperative versus postoperative changes in middle cerebral artery flow were observed on either side.ConclusionThe flow through the high-flow EC-IC bypass was able to replace the volume flow of the ipsilateral ICA after deliberate ICA occlusion for the treatment of giant aneurysms.

26 keywords...

hide…