Improvement of neurovascular function and cognitive impairment after STA-MCA anastomosis.

Objective: In patients with severe steno-occlusive disease of a main cerebral artery, decreased cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) and cognitive impairment without causative focal lesions on magnetic resonance imaging have been reported. We examined ipsilateral and contralateral CVR and cognition before and after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis operation in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) or MCA occlusion.

Methods: In 30 patients with ICA or MCA occlusion, cognitive impairment, and decreased CVR, we examined cognition, CVR, leukoaraiosis grades, and blood data.

Ultrasonography Monitoring with Superb Microvascular Imaging Technique in Brain Tumor Surgery.

Background: Neuronavigation based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging has been developed as a useful tool to improve visibility of the surgical site in the operative field. Ultrasonography (US) monitoring has also been used as a reliable imaging technique, providing real-time information during neurosurgical operations. We combined the latest innovative imaging technique for detecting very low-flow components, Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI), with US monitoring during brain tumor surgery.