STA-MCA anastomosis in patients with skull base tumours involving the internal carotid artery--haemodynamic assessment by ultrasonic Doppler flowmeter.

The role of superficial temporal artery--middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis was investigated with an ultrasonic Doppler flowmeter in 3 patients with sphenoid ridge meningiomas and one with a parasellar malignant teratoma, all of which involved the intracranial internal carotid artery. The intraoperative Doppler flow study revealed a remarkable increase in flow volume of the STA after trial occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in one case and permanent occlusion in two cases. These results substantiate the effectiveness of STA-MCA anastomosis. We also discuss surgical and other contrivances for obtaining sufficient blood supply from this bypass to prevent cerebral ischaemia in the acute phase after elective or accidental occlusion of a major cerebral artery. This is the first report of STA-MCA anastomosis in cases with brain tumour.