What is the usual follow-up of the operated patients?
If distance permits, I see patients again in four to six weeks after the procedure. Many patients live too far away for this visit to be practicable, so a visit to the patient’s local neurologist must often serve as a substitute. I ask that all patients return to Boston in one year for follow up studies, which include formal arteriography and repeats of any pre-op cerebral blood flow studies , such as MR-MRA and perfusion studies and SPECT scanning. The arteriogram is usually the last one that the patient will need to undergo, with subsequent follow ups consisting of yearly MRI-MRA studies only (which can be carried out locally). I ask that all my patients stay in contact with me on a yearly basis. Follow-up in patients with moyamoya syndrome is extraordinarily important and really forms the basis of our knowledge regarding prognosis and ultimate outcome of the condition, and I rely on my patients to help me in this effort.
If distance permits, I see patients again in four to six weeks after the procedure. Many patients live too far away for this visit to be practicable, and a visit to the patient’s local neurologist can serve as a substitute. I ask that all patients return to Boston in one year for follow up studies, which include another cerebral arteriogram and repeats of any pre-op cerebral blood flow studies. The arteriogram is usually the last one that the patient will need to undergo, with subsequent follow-ups consisting of yearly MRI-MRA studies only (which can be carried out locally). I believe that the single follow-up arteriogram is important for a number of reasons. Most importantly, it documents the success of the surgery, and helps to determine if any additional treatment needs to be considered. It serves as a baseline from which to compare subsequent MRI and MRA studies, and also enables us to learn more about the moyamoya evolution in the patient. I ask that all my patients stay in contac
If distance permits, we see patients again in four to six weeks after the procedure. Many patients live too far away for an office visit in Boston to be practicable, and a visit to the patient’s local neurologist can serve as a substitute. We ask the patients to undergo a follow-up cerebral arteriogram in one year, in Boston if possible, so that the efficacy of the surgery can be assessed, and a satisfactory baseline for the future established. An MRI and MRA are also carried out at the same time, and plans for appropriate follow-up made with the family. We ask that all of our patients stay in contact with us on a yearly basis. Follow-up in patients with moyamoya disease is extraordinarily important and forms the basis of our knowledge regarding prognosis and ultimate outcome of the condition. We rely on our patients to help us in this effort.
