Radiological Evaluation of Temporal Artery—Middle Cerebral Artery Anastomosis

Abstract

Nineteen patients were studied angiographically following transcranial temporal artery—middle cerebral artery anastomosis surgery. All anastomoses remained patent up to 27 months. Flow patterns varied from filling of the entire middle cerebral triangle via the anastomosis to filling of one or two branches. Clinical improvement varied inversely with the degree of middle cerebral artery filling via the shunt. Best results occurred in patients having repeated transient ischemic attacks without a fixed neurologic deficit. On a second postoperative study 2 of 5 patients showed increased flow via the anastomosis. This procedure may be prophylactic in preventing massive cerebral infarction in progressive arterial disease.