Moyamoya disease

Moyamoya disease is a rare disorder in which arteries in the brain get very narrow, reducing blood flow. Left untreated, the condition can lead to a stroke or what’s known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also called a mini-stroke.

Moyamoya disease symptoms

Moyamoya disease symptoms may include:

• Changes in vision or other senses
• Difficulty thinking clearly or learning
• Headaches
• Involuntary movements
• Seizures
• Temporary weakness in an arm or leg, which is often triggered by activity or stress (including crying)

It’s also important to recognize the symptoms of stroke, which include:

• Weakness in a limb
• Difficulty speaking
• Partial or complete blindness
• Problems with balance

If you have a TIA, you may experience stroke symptoms, but they will go away after a short time.

Moyamoya disease diagnosis

First, you’ll meet with your doctor for a physical exam and to discuss your potential moyamoya disease symptoms and family history. Your doctor may also order one of the following tests:

• CT scan
• MRI
• Angiogram: A special dye is injected into the bloodstream, which offers a better view of the arteries. When combined with an MRI, the test is called magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA); when combined with a CT scan, it’s a computed tomographic angiogram (CTA).
• Electroencephalography (EEG): Moyamoya disease often causes a distinctive brainwave pattern in children. This test measures the electrical activity in the brain.
• Positron emission topography (PET): A radioactive dye is injected into the body and then monitored as it makes its way through the blood vessels.
• Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD): High-frequency sound waves show the direction and speed of blood flow.

Treatment options

The goal of moyamoya treatment is to prevent strokes by improving blood flow and reducing moyamoya disease symptoms. Moyamoya disease treatment may include:

• Medication to reduce clotting and headaches
• A surgical procedure called revascularization, which allows blood to bypass the blocked arteries and improves blood flow