Cortical-Sulcal Hyperintensity in Fluid-attenuated Inversion Recovery Images and Postoperative Transient Neurological Events after Indirect Revascularization Surgery for Moyamoya Disease

Abstract

Transient neurological events (TNEs) are relatively common phenomena after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) bypass for the surgical treatment of moyamoya disease. Cortical-sulcal hyperintensity (CSHI) signs in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images during the acute stage after the surgery have also been reported. These symptoms and radiological findings are reportedly correlated; however, few studies have examined these characteristics after indirect vascularization surgery. Therefore, here we retrospectively investigated the incidence and correlation of this issue. The CSHI signs were observed in 10 of 16 hemispheres (62.5%), and TNEs after the surgery were recognized in nine (56.3%). This correlation was statistically significant (p = 0.01). Our findings indicate that CSHI signs are associated with direct and indirect bypass surgery and may be closely related to postoperative TNEs.