R. A. de los Reyes

Anastomosis of occipital artery to anterior inferior cerebellar artery for vertebrobasilar junction stenosis

A new approach to revascularization of the posterior fossa for vertebrobasilar insufficiency due to vertebrobasilar junction stenosis is reported. The procedure involves anastomosing the occipital artery to a branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. Rationale for the procedure and surgical technique are discussed.

Endarterectomy of the vertebral artery from C2 to posterior inferior cerebellar artery intracranially

A new technical approach to endarterectomy of the vertebral artery at the cranial cervical junction is discussed. A patient had symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency on clinical examination. Angiography demonstrated a stenotic plaque in the vertebral artery at the level of C1, and an additional tandem lesion at the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. He underwent vertebral endarterectomy and was symptomatically improved postoperatively. The surgical approach used and possible alternatives will be discussed in detail.

Pharmacologic Management of Acute Intracranial Hypertension

Acute intracranial hypertension requires aggressive treatment with physiologic and pharmacologic measures guided by intracranial pressure monitoring devices. Therapy involves the use of diuretics, corticosteroids, and barbiturates in combination with hyperventilation, ventricular drainage, and general supportive measures. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of increased intracranial pressure and the pharmacologic agents used in its management.

Combined reconstruction of the vertebral and carotid artery in one single procedure.

Patients suffering from vertebrobasilar insufficiency frequently have multiple areas of involvement in the extracranial circulation. Eight patients admitted to Henry Ford Hospital had symptoms suggestive of vertebrobasilar insufficiency and angiograms showing multiple abnormalities. A combined operation that reconstructed the carotid and vertebral circulations in one single procedure was completed in all patients with minimal morbidity and no mortality. The surgical procedure is described in detail.

The surgical management of vertebrobasilar insufficiency

SummaryVertebrobasilar insufficiency may result from structural lesions anywhere along the vertebrobasilar system. Recently developed techniques in angiography and microsurgery have made the vertebrobasilar system more accessible to surgical therapy. The syndrome of vertebrobasilar insufficiency is discussed, and our experience with the surgical treatment of lesions from the vertebral origin to the distal basilar region is reviewed.