Occipital artery-anterior cerebral artery bypass with posterior auricular artery-middle cerebral artery bypass for stenosis of the internal carotid artery bifurcation

Abstract

Superficial temporal artery (STA)-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass, and STA-anterior cerebral artery (ACA) bypass, are options for direct revascularisation of anterior circulation. However, some patients don't have a suitable STA to use as a donor, so an alternative procedure must be performed. A 59-year-old, right-handed man presented with dysphasia and right-sided hemiparesis due to a transient ischaemic attack. Imaging studies revealed severe stenosis of the left internal carotid artery bifurcation. Iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography demonstrated reduced cerebrovascular reserve capacity in the left hemisphere. The patient was started on antiplatelet therapy, but the ischaemic attacks persisted after one month. Thus, revascularisation of the ACA and MCA territories was considered. Digital subtraction angiography revealed prominence in the left occipital artery (OA) and posterior auricular artery (PAA), while the left STA was hypoplastic, terminating at the squamous suture level. Therefore, anastomoses were performed between both the OA and ACA and the PAA and MCA. Revascularisation was successful, and the ischaemic attacks disappeared. OA-ACA bypass, together with PAA-MCA bypass, may be effective for wide cerebral revascularisation when the STA is not available.