Moyamoya angiopathy: early postoperative course within 3 months after STA–MCA–bypass surgery in Europe—a retrospective analysis of 64 procedures

Despite the consensus on the necessity of revascularizing surgery in Moyamoya angiopathy in Asia, the indication in Caucasian Moyamoya patients is discussed controversially.

The safety of revascularizing surgery in Europe should be clarified.

This study retrospectively analyzed the rate of complications as well as clinical symptoms within the first 3 months after bypass surgery between superficial temporal artery and middle cerebral artery (STA–MCA).

64 direct bypass procedures in 45 patients (95.5% Caucasians) were analyzed. The magnetic resonance imaging at day 6 showed subdural hematoma in 60.3%. The mean diameter of these hematomas on magnetic resonance imaging was 5.1 mm (SD 3.4 mm) and increased in 25% at follow-up. No difference was found between those patients with early (day 1) or late (day 7) restarts of antiplatelet therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging at day 6 revealed hyperperfusion syndrome after six of 64 procedures (9.3%). Three of these six had clinical symptoms; two-thirds were transient within seconds. Magnetic resonance imaging depicted stroke after seven procedures (10.9%). Five of these seven patients had no new symptoms. Altogether, after ten procedures (15%), patients complained about clinical symptoms. These were all transient. No new transient ischemic attacks occurred during the 3 month follow-up and no new lesions were detected in magnetic resonance imaging. Only two patients underwent surgery for asymptomatic subdural hematoma. All other subdural hematomas resolved spontaneously.

Revasculating surgery is a safe procedure in Caucasian patients with Moyamoya angiopathy. The observed complications have a good prognosis.