Hi All,

I am preparing for my 1 year follow up at Stanford.  I had STA-MCA direct bypass last spring.  Can anyone tell me what to expect?  What tests should I anticipate and how long should I plan on being there.  I was not able to go back for a 6 month follow up last fall, so I do not know what standard tests are usually done.  Do they do the same tests at 6 months and at 1 year or is it different?  Someone told me that all I would need is an MRI. 
Thanks for your help. 

Tracie

Hi Tracie,
I don't know what would be done at a one year follow-up, the six-month was all of the same testing that was done prior to surgery, including the neuropsychological test. Give Stanford a call, I'm sure they can tell you what to expect.
Kim

Kim,       
Thanks for the information.  I called Stanford last week but have not heard back from them yet.  I never had any of the 6 month follow up studies because I had to have a third surgery at 6 months to clear up the infection that I had contracted.  All I had done before the 3rd surgery in Sept. was an angio, so I figured I may have to get a SPECT, MRI/MRA, and neuropsych testing.  I was trying to figure out how many days I would need for the testing.  Are these the tests that you had done at 6 months?  Did you have a one year follow up?  I thought it was 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and then 5 years.  I may be mistaken. 

Tracie

Hi Tracie,
I had a check up months after surgery and will have another 3 1/2 years after surgery. It was meant to be three years after surgery, but as I'm feeling great and having no symptoms I was told I could delay it for six months; that works much better with my budget. The tests were scheduled Thurs-Fri and Monday morning followed by a clinic appointment with Dr. Steinberg on Monday afternoon. They included SPECT, MRI/MRA, angiogram, and neuropsychology test, then I gave blood to further the moyamoya research. I have a sulfer allergy so get to skip one of the usual tests.
Bob Pulliam does his best to schedule the test in as few days as possible.
As far as the frequency of chekups everyone is different. Based on the results of the six-month and whether you're having trouble or are unilateral, they determine when you next need to be seen. If all is well then six months, three years and I think seven or ten years are pretty typical dates.
Hope this helps.
Kim
Kim