Successful Surgical Management of Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhaging After Revascularization Surgery for Moyamoya Vasculopathy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhaging associated with revascularization surgery for moyamoya vasculopathy is a potentially devastating problem that requires meticulous management, including surgery. However, only a few studies on this subject have been reported, and the clinical characteristics are poorly understood. We report a case of successful surgical management for a patient with traumatic intracranial hematoma managed with encephalo-duro-arterio-myo-synangiosis (EDAMS). The purpose of this article is to clarify the specific features of clinical scenarios, hemorrhagic sites, and operative techniques by reviewing all published cases.

Case description: A 10-year-old Japanese girl with a history of EDAMS for quasi-moyamoya disease was referred to our institution after minor head trauma. Cranial computed tomography scans revealed a right intracranial hematoma overlying the temporal muscle flap. After admission, hematoma developed, and emergency hematoma evacuation was performed. Venous hemorrhaging from the fascia of the temporal muscle flap was confirmed. Collaterals from indirect bypass were preserved in the surgery. Postoperative diffusion-weighted imaging revealed no ischemic complications. She immediately recovered and returned to her preinjury baseline.

Conclusion: In moyamoya vasculopathy, intrinsic collaterals or de novo anastomoses from revascularization surgery are easily injured, even with mild head trauma. Furthermore, the administration of antiplatelets agents increases the risk of hematoma development. Sacrifice of collaterals can lead to acute cerebral infarction. During emergency surgery for traumatic intracranial hematoma, a careful surgical strategy is needed to preserve the collateral supply.

Keywords: Moyamoya vasculopathy; Revascularization surgery; Traumatic intracranial hemorrhaging.