Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis

Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) is a surgical procedure used to treat moyamoya disease, a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain. The name "moyamoya" means "puff of smoke" in Japanese and describes the look of the tangle of tiny vessels formed to compensate for the blockage.

Procedure

The EDAS procedure involves rerouting an artery from the scalp and the outer covering of the brain to the area of the brain affected by moyamoya disease. This allows for the growth of new blood vessels, thus providing more blood flow to the brain.

Indications

EDAS is indicated for patients with moyamoya disease who are suffering from transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or minor strokes. The procedure is also used for patients who have had a major stroke, but only if a significant amount of brain tissue is still viable.

Risks

As with any surgical procedure, EDAS carries some risks. These include infection, bleeding, and the possibility of stroke during surgery. However, the risk of stroke is significantly reduced with this procedure compared to other treatments for moyamoya disease.

Recovery

Recovery from EDAS surgery varies from patient to patient. Most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few weeks. However, it can take several months for the new blood vessels to grow and for blood flow to the brain to improve.

See also

• Moyamoya disease
• Transient ischemic attack
• Stroke