Excellent results from multiple burr-hole operations for adult moyamoy
a disease are reported in this study. Ten patients had between one and
four burr holes (mean 2.1) drilled in each hemisphere. In four patien
ts new burr holes were added on the opposite side after depression of
cerebral blood flow (CBF) was detected by follow-up single-photon emis
sion computerized tomography imaging of the brain with N-isopropyl-p-[
I-123]iodoamphetamine. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from
6 to 62 months (mean 34.7 months). Beginning at 6 months postsurgery,
angiograms disclosed rich neovascularization at 41 of 43 bun holes, fi
rst from the middle meningeal artery, then fi om the superficial tempo
ral artery. Neovascularization did not occur at two burr holes at whic
h there was subdural effusion and local cerebral atrophy, respectively
. Progression of stenosis of the major vessels was seen in six patient
s. Moyamoya vessels were decreased at six sites in four patients. The
CBF study revealed that the reactivity to acetazolamide improved in al
l six patients tested. Transient ischemic attacks disappeared in all s
ix patients presenting with this symptom, and preoperative symptoms im
proved in both of the patients who presented with cerebral infarction
and in both patients with intraventricular hemorrhage. There was no mo
rtality or morbidity, and no new neurological deficits or rebleeding d
eveloped during the followup period. The authors strongly recommend th
e multiple burr-hole operation as the surgical treatment of choice for
adult moyamoya disease because of its safety and effectiveness.