Encephalo-duro-arterio-synangiosis(EDAS) using Occipital Artery in Children with Moyamoya Disease

Objective : Although an encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis procedure using the superficial temporal artery [STA-EDAS] is an effective indirect bypass method in children with moyamoya disease[MMD], there is still a need for an additional bypass operation that can cover the area of the posterior circulation. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the EDAS procedure using the occipital arteries [OA-EDAS]. Methods : From August 2003 to April 2004, We performed OA-EDAS in sixteen patients with MMD who have a circulatory insufficiency in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery[PCA]. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical outcomes, including the changes in neurological status and imaging studies, with the degree of neovascularization on the cerebral angiogram, and the hemodynamic changes on single-photon emission computed tomography[SPECT], were analyzed. Results : These 16 children consisted of 5 boys and 11 girls aged 2 to 9 years. The clinical outcome of their PCA symptoms, such as visual transient ischemic attacks[TIAs] or visual field defect, was favorable in 14 patients of 16. Nine patients of 11 who underwent follow up magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] showed favorable MRI changes. On angiogram most of the patients exhibited good or fair revascularization of the PCA territory [7 of 8]. The hemodynamic changes on SPECT in the PCA territory after surgery showed improved vascular reserve in 13 of the 16 territories. Conclusion : OA-EDAS is a safe and efficacious revascularization procedure in patients with MMD who have compromised cerebral perfusion in PCA territory, or with visual TIAs.