ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of cranioplasty on dynamics of cerebral blood flow(CBF) and cerebrovascular reserve capacity(CVRC), and to investigate the usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) as a prognostic factor for neurological improvement after cranioplasty. METHODS: Between March 2003 and December 2005, a prospective study was performed on 24 patients who had undergone total 25 cranioplasty operations. Cerebral blood flow velocities in the middle cerebral artery(MCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) were obtained by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography(TCD). The CVRC was assessed by SPECT in the natural state and after stimulation with 1g of acetazolamide. Neurological improvement after cranioplasty was compared between patients who showed hyperactivity to acetazolamide-activated SPECT (Group 1, n=7) and hypoactivity to acetazolamide-activated SPECT (Group 2, n=17). These measurements were obtained two weeks prior to and two weeks after cranioplasty. RESULTS: The blood flow velocities at the opposite site to the cranioplasty as well as at the cranioplasty site were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with Group 2, there was significant increase in CBF and neurological imrovement after cranioplasty in Group 1. CONCLUSION: Among patients with surgical bony defects, the patients who had normal reactivity of the CVRC showed a significant increase in CBF and neurological improvement after cranioplasty. The authors suggest that CVRC measurement prior to surgery may be an important prognostic factor for neurological improvement after cranioplasty.