MoyaMoya Disease

The above image demonstrates the collateral circulation associated with Moyamoya Disease.

This disease is very rare and is caused by a blockage of arteries in an area of the brain called the basal ganglia.  In japanese moyamoya means, "puff of smoke" this refers to the way all the tiny vessels look that form around the blocked area.  This disease is most common in children but is know to affect some adults.  The associated symptoms of this disease are strokes or TIA's accompanied by muscular weakness, paralysis, or seizures.  Adults with Moyamoya will most likely incurr an hemorrhagic strokes due to clots that form in the affected vessels.  Those with Moyamoya will experience speech difficulties, disturbed consiousness, sensory and cognitive impairments, involuntary movements, and vision problems.  Some researchers speculate that it is a genetic abnormality because it does tend to run in families.  Revascularization surgery is usually the best form of treatment to open the blockages.  Children usually respond better to theses surgeries than adults but for the most part neither should experience any strokes or TIA's.  Without treatment Moyamoya is fatal becuase of intracerebral strokes.