Minimal invasive method for intraoperative angiography using the superficial temporal artery with preservation of its trunk.

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative angiography is useful in evaluating the vascular lesion before clipping/excision, presence of any residual lesion, and excluding unintended occlusion/stenosis of the arterial branch/parent artery. The previously reported techniques using the superficial temporal artery involved either retrograde cannulation of the aortic arch or its permanent obliteration at the end of the procedure. The present report describes a simple method that enables cannulation of the artery using standard Sildenger's technique and ensures its patency at the end of the procedure for possible use in present or future procedures.

METHODS

The method was applied during craniotomies performed for various intracranial vascular lesions. One division of the superficial temporal artery was subjected to catheterization. At the end of the procedure, the division of the superficial temporal artery that was punctured was hemostased, leaving the main trunk patent.

RESULTS

Intraoperative cerebral angiography was performed by the author via catheterization of one division of the superficial temporal artery in 56 craniotomies. Intraoperative cerebral angiography showed adequate high-quality subtraction images.

CONCLUSION

The present report describes a simple method that enables cannulation of one division of the superficial temporal artery and preserves the main trunk at the end of the procedure.