Postoperative changes in the superficial temporal artery and the external carotid artery duplex sonography after extra-intracranial bypass surgery in European Moyamoya disease.

INTRODUCTION

Despite Duplex ultrasonography being a noninvasive, easily repeatable, readily available and economical tool, this examination and its normal ranges are rarely described in Moyamoya disease (MMD).

METHODS

Duplex ultrasonography examinations of the superficial temporal artery (STA) and external carotid artery (ECA) were performed preoperatively, postoperatively (within 30 days) and as follow-up exams (6 months postoperatively) after 32 cerebral revascularization procedures in 20 European patients with MMD.

RESULTS

A significant higher mean diastolic flow of STA compared to preoperative values was found in postoperative (p<.000) and follow-up exams (p<.001) in Duplex ultrasonography. Postoperative and follow-up Duplex sonography of STA also showed a significantly higher mean systolic flow compared to preoperative values (p<.05 and p<.05). Also ECA showed significantly changes after bypass surgery (p<.05).

CONCLUSION

Duplex ultrasonography of STA is a reliable and non-invasive tool to investigate hemodynamic changes after bypass surgery and to detect bypass patency in European patients with MMD.