Minimally invasive superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass through a minicraniotomy: benefit of three-dimensional virtual reality planning using magnetic resonance angiography

Abstract

<jats:sec> <jats:title>Object</jats:title> <jats:p>The aim of the authors in this study was to introduce a minimally invasive superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass surgery by the preselection of appropriate donor and recipient branches in a 3D virtual reality setting based on 3-T MR angiography data.</jats:p></jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>An STA-MCA anastomosis was performed in each of 5 patients. Before surgery, 3-T MR imaging was performed with 3D magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequences, and a high-resolution CT 3D dataset was obtained. Image fusion and the construction of a 3D virtual reality model of each patient were completed.</jats:p></jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>In the 3D virtual reality setting, the skin surface, skull surface, and extra- and intracranial arteries as well as the cortical brain surface could be displayed in detail. The surgical approach was successfully visualized in virtual reality. The anatomical relationship of structures of interest could be evaluated based on different values of translucency in all cases. The closest point of the appropriate donor branch of the STA and the most suitable recipient M<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> or M<jats:sub>4</jats:sub> segment could be calculated with high accuracy preoperatively and determined as the center point of the following minicraniotomy. Localization of the craniotomy and the skin incision on top of the STA branch was calculated with the system, and these data were transferred onto the patient's skin before surgery. In all cases the preselected arteries could be found intraoperatively in exact agreement with the preoperative planning data. Successful extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery was achieved without stereotactic neuronavigation via a preselected minimally invasive approach in all cases. Subsequent enlargement of the craniotomy was not necessary. Perioperative complications were not observed. All bypasses remained patent on follow-up.</jats:p></jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title> <jats:p>With the application of a 3D virtual reality planning system, the extent of skin incision and tissue trauma as well as the size of the bone flap was minimal. The closest point of the appropriate donor branch of the STA and the most suitable recipient M<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> or M<jats:sub>4</jats:sub> segment could be preoperatively determined with high accuracy so that the STA-MCA bypass could be safely and effectively performed through an optimally located minicraniotomy with a mean diameter of 22 mm without the need for stereotactic guidance.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Neurosurgical craniotomy localization using a virtual reality planning system versus intraoperative image–guided navigation

“…Current reports on the use of virtual reality for craniotomy planning are quite promising [2,9,18]. They support our finding that VR-based craniotomy planning may play an important role in the future of minimally invasive neurosurgical operations.…”

Superficial temporal artery: the “C” shape half-buttonhole configuration as it courses over the zygomatic arch

“…B bifurcation of STA. C C shape half-buttonhole as the STA courses over the zygomatic arch, Z zygoma, M mandible detail of the STA, providing valuable information for preoperative anatomic planning for multiple disciplines [4].…”

Duplicated middle cerebral artery

“…It is also important to consider that the DMCA and other MCA anomalies, and their potential relationship with cerebral aneurysms, can also be visualised by less invasive imaging techniques, such as CT angiography,30 and magnetic resonance angiography 31 – 33…”