Anastomosis of occipital artery to posterior cerebral artery with interposition of superficial temporal artery using occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach: case report.

BACKGROUND

Superficial temporal artery (STA)-superior cerebellar artery (SCA) anastomosis, and STA-posterior cerebral artery (PCA) anastomosis are considered suitable as surgical procedures for the treatment of patients with significant stenosis or occlusion in the rostral portion of the basilar artery and patients with significant stenosis or occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery, respectively. However, several authors have reported frequent and serious complications of these surgical procedures, including temporal lobe retraction edema and hematoma. In this study, we introduce a new surgical revascularization using an occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach for the treatment of severe stenosis of the rostral portion of the basilar artery.

CASE REPORT

A 47-year-old man with hypertension noted the sudden onset of nuchal pain followed by vertigo, diplopia, drunken gait, and motor weakness on his right side. Angiography performed on the day of the onset disclosed severe stenosis of the basilar artery. The stenotic portion extended just distal to the anterior-inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) to just proximal to the SCA, and in addition, a pseudolumen was visualized just distal to the left AICA. The patient underwent right occipital artery (OA) to left PCA anastomosis with interposition of the STA using an occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach. Marked improvement in dysarthria, diplopia, ataxia gait, and visual disturbance were noted and he was able to walk without aid 3 days after operation. A postoperative angiogram of the right OA obtained 25 days after operation demonstrated visualization of the left PCA via the anastomosed OA and STA graft.

CONCLUSIONS

OA-PCA anastomosis with interposition of STA graft using an occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach can be substituted for STA-SCA anastomosis and STA-PCA anastomosis for treatment of stenosis/occlusion of the rostral portion of the basilar artery.