MOYA MOYA DISEASE - STA-MCA BYPASS SURGERY
Moya Moya disease is a rare cerebrovascular disorder that affects the blood vessels in the brain. The disease causes the arteries at the base of the brain to narrow and become blocked, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. This can result in migraines, seizures, strokes, and cognitive decline.
Moya Moya disease typically affects children and young adults, but can also affect older people. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it may be genetic in nature. Some cases may also be linked to disorders such as sickle cell disease or neurofibromatosis.
Symptoms of Moya Moya disease can vary depending on the individual, but common symptoms can include headaches, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty in speaking or understanding speech, and visual disturbances. In some cases, patients may also experience seizures or paralysis.
Diagnosis of Moya Moya disease often involves a combination of medical imaging, such as a CT or MRI scan, and other tests such as angiography. These tests can help to identify the narrowing of the blood vessels and monitor the disease’s progression.
Treatment for Moya Moya disease often involves surgery to improve blood flow to the brain. One common surgical procedure is called a direct brain bypass, which involves connecting a blood vessel from the scalp to a blood vessel in the brain, bypassing the blocked arteries. Another surgical option is an indirect bypass. Dr Profyris is trained and skilled in cerebral bypass surgery and has performed several bypass procedures for Moya Moya Disease. He also performs bypass surgery for complex aneurysms deemed untreatable by other means.
This is a case of an STA-MCA bypass performed by Dr Profyris for Moya Moya Disease. The superficial temporal artery (STA) was dissected and sutured onto (anastomosed) a branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The post-operative course was uneventful with post-operative imaging as seen above, confirming bypass patency. The video below demonstrates a Moya Moya bypass performed by Dr Profyris, with patency confirmed intraoperatively with ICG dye.
