Updated: Nov 6, 2008
Moyamoya disease is a progressive occlusive disease of the cerebral vasculature with particular involvement of the circle of Willis and the arteries that feed it. Moyamoya (ie, Japanese for "puff of smoke") characterizes the appearance on angiography of abnormal vascular collateral networks that develop adjacent to the stenotic vessels. The steno-occlusive areas are usually bilateral, but unilateral involvement does not exclude the diagnosis.
Pathologically, moyamoya disease (MMD) is characterized by intimal thickening in the walls of the terminal portions of the internal carotid vessels bilaterally. The proliferating intima may contain lipid deposits. The anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries that emanate from the circle of Willis may show varying degrees of stenosis or occlusion. This is associated with fibrocellular thickening of the intima, waving of the internal elastic lamina, and thinning of the media. Numerous small vascular channels can be seen around the circle of Willis. These are perforators and anastomotic branches. The pia mater also may have reticular conglomerates of small vessels.
The exact etiology of MMD is unknown. Some genetic predisposition is apparent because it is familial 10% of the time. The disease may be hereditary and multifactorial. A recent Japanese study demonstrated that familial MMD is autosomal dominant with reduced penetrance.
It may occur by itself in a previously healthy individual. However, many disease states have been reported in association with MMD, including the following:
These associations may not necessarily be causative, but do warrant consideration due to impact on treatment.
The incidence of moyamoya disease is highest in Japan (see International). However, a recent study indicated that the prevalence of MMD in California and Washington was 0.086 case per 100,000 population. In this study, the breakdown based on ethnicity as ratio to whites was 4.6 for Asian Americans, 2.2 for African Americans, and 0.5 for Hispanics.
The prevalence and incidence of moyamoya disease in Japan has been reported to be 3.16 cases and 0.35 case per 100,000 people, respectively. With regard to sex, the female-to-male ratio is 1.8:1. A bimodal peak of incidence is noted, with symptoms occurring either in the first decade or in the third and fourth decades of life.
Mortality rates of moyamoya disease are approximately 10% in adults and 4.3% in children. Death is usually from hemorrhage. About 50-60% of affected individuals experience a gradual deterioration of cognitive function, presumably from recurrent strokes.
Moyamoya disease occurs primarily in Asians, but it also can occur (with varying degrees of severity) in whites, African Americans, Haitians, and Hispanics.
The female-to-male ratio of moyamoya disease is 1.8:1.
Ages range from 6 months to 67 years, with the highest peak in the first decade and smaller peaks in the third and fourth decades.
Children and adults with moyamoya disease may have different clinical presentations. The symptoms and clinical course vary widely from asymptomatic to transient events to severe neurologic deficits. Adults experience hemorrhage more commonly; cerebral ischemic events are more common in children.
Examination findings depend on the location and severity of hemorrhage or ischemic insult.
The cause of moyamoya disease is not known. The disease is believed to be hereditary. Fukui (1977) reported a family history in 10% of patients with MMD. Moreover, Mineharu suggested that familial MMD is autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance that depends on age and genomic imprinting factors.1 Genetically, susceptibility loci have been found on 3p, 6p, 17q, and band 8q23. Recently, Mineharu et al have found a specific gene locus, q25.3, on chromosome 17.2
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Apert syndrome
Aplastic anemia
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Cranial trauma
Coarctation of the aorta
Fanconi anemia
Irradiation injury
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Marfan syndrome
Mitochondrial cytopathies
Parasellar tumors
Sickle cell disease
Tuberculosis
Turner syndrome
Vasculitis
Carotid disease and stroke
See Pathophysiology.
Pharmacologic therapy for moyamoya disease (MMD) is disappointing. Therapy is directed primarily at complications of the disease.
Patients with moyamoya disease who present for treatment while symptoms are evolving have a better prognosis than those who present with static symptoms (which probably indicate a completed stroke).
Rehabilitation with physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy should be considered depending on the neurologic impairment.
Drug therapy for moyamoya disease (MMD) depends on the particular manifestations of the disease.
For hemorrhage, therapy revolves around management of hypertension (if present).
For ischemic stroke, anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin may be considered. Safety and efficacy have not been fully established with these drugs, and careful analysis of risk and benefits is needed. These drugs could be useful if thrombosis of vessels is present, but they do not alter the natural history of the disease and they considerably increase the risk of hemorrhage with large strokes.
The same considerations are true for aspirin and other antiplatelet agents.
Treatment with anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents should be pursued only after consultation with a neurologist who is experienced in stroke management.
These agents are given for prevention of further thrombosis and potential infarction of the brain. CAUTION: Anticoagulation is of unproven benefit in ischemic stroke associated with MMD. This therapy therefore is considered empirical.
Administered IV, and frequently given with initial bolus in cardiac situations. In stroke, bolus not recommended. Target dose aimed at maintaining aPTT 1.5-2 times control.
CT scan of brain must be done prior to any anticoagulant use to rule out preexisting intracranial hemorrhage.
50 U/kg/h IV initially, followed by continuous infusion of 15-25 U/kg/h; increase dose by 5 U/kg/h q4h prn using aPTT results
Not established
Digoxin, nicotine, tetracycline, and antihistamines may decrease effects; NSAIDs, aspirin, dextran, dipyridamole, and hydroxychloroquine may increase toxicity
Documented hypersensitivity; conditions that predispose to bleeding; evidence of active bleeding such as severe strokes, presence of intracranial hemorrhage, positive stool blood test findings, or suspected bleeding elsewhere
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
In neonates, preservative-free heparin recommended to avoid possible toxicity (ie, gasping syndrome) of benzyl alcohol, which is used as preservative; caution in severe hypotension and shock; patients should be monitored closely by providers with experience in managing anticoagulation
Administered orally and used if long-term anticoagulation needed. INR followed with target range of 2-3.
CT scan of brain must be done prior to any anticoagulant use to rule out preexisting intracranial hemorrhage.
5-15 mg/d PO qd for 2-5 d; adjust dose according to desired INR
Not established
Drugs that may decrease anticoagulant effects include griseofulvin, carbamazepine, glutethimide, estrogens, nafcillin, phenytoin, rifampin, barbiturates, cholestyramine, colestipol, vitamin K, spironolactone, oral contraceptives, and sucralfate
Medications that may increase anticoagulant effects include oral antibiotics, phenylbutazone, salicylates, sulfonamides, chloral hydrate, clofibrate, diazoxide, anabolic steroids, ketoconazole, ethacrynic acid, miconazole, nalidixic acid, sulfonylureas, allopurinol, chloramphenicol, cimetidine, disulfiram, metronidazole, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, propoxyphene, sulfonamides, gemfibrozil, acetaminophen, and sulindac
Documented hypersensitivity, severe liver or kidney disease, open wounds or GI ulcers, conditions that predispose to bleeding
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Do not switch brands after achieving therapeutic response; caution in active TB or diabetes; patients with protein C or S deficiency are at risk of developing skin necrosis; patients need careful periodic monitoring by personnel who are experienced in using anticoagulants; caution in children whose activity level may be a risk factor for trauma and subsequent hemorrhage
These agents can be considered to help prevent future ischemic strokes. As with anticoagulation, aspirin is of unproven benefit in MMD; its use is considered empirical.
Efficacy in preventing stroke relies on its inhibitory effect on platelet function. This presumably would help prevent thrombus formation and propagation.
81-650 mg PO qd
Not established; 2-5 mg/kg/d PO typically used
Effects may decrease with antacids and urinary alkalinizers; corticosteroids decrease salicylate serum levels; additive hypoprothrombinemic effects and increased bleeding time may occur with coadministration of anticoagulants; may antagonize uricosuric effects of probenecid and increase toxicity of phenytoin and valproic acid; doses > 2 g/d may potentiate glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylurea drugs
Documented hypersensitivity; liver damage; hypoprothrombinemia; vitamin K deficiency; other coagulation or bleeding disorders; concurrent anticoagulants; severe anemia; asthma; preexisting gastric ulcer disease; positive test for stool blood; due to possible association with Reye syndrome, do not use in children (<16 y) with flu
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
May cause transient decrease in renal function and aggravate chronic kidney disease
Outcome of moyamoya disease depends on severity and nature of hemorrhage; prognosis depends on recurrent attacks.
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moyamoya disease, MMD, arterial occlusive disease, primary cerebral, puff of smoke, Graves disease, thyrotoxicosis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, aplastic anemia, Fanconi anemia, sickle cell anemia, lupus anticoagulant, Apert syndrome, Down syndrome, Marfan syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Turner syndrome, von Recklinghausen disease, Hirschsprung disease, atherosclerotic disease, coarctation of the aorta and fibromuscular dysplasia, cranial trauma, radiation injury, parasellar tumors, hypertension
Roy Sucholeiki, MD, Director, Comprehensive Seizure and Epilepsy Program, The Neurosciences Institute at Central DuPage Hospital
Roy Sucholeiki, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, and American Neuropsychiatric Association
Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking and teaching
Jasvinder Chawla, MBBS, MD, MBA, Associate Professor of Neurology, Director of Neurology Residency Training Program, Director of Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, Assistant Director of Neurology Clerkship Program, Department of Neurology, Loyola University Medical Center
Jasvinder Chawla, MBBS, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Robert Stanley Rust Jr, MD, MA, Thomas E Worrell Jr Professor of Epileptology and Neurology, Co-Director of FE Dreifuss Child Neurology and Epilepsy Clinics, Director, Child Neurology, University of Virginia; Chair-Elect, Child Neurology Section, American Academy of Neurology
Robert Stanley Rust Jr, MD, MA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, American Headache Society, American Neurological Association, Child Neurology Society, International Child Neurology Association, and Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Kenneth J Mack, MD, PhD, Senior Associate Consultant, Department of Child and Adolescent Neurology, Mayo Clinic
Kenneth J Mack, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, Child Neurology Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Neuroscience
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Matthew J Baker, MD, Consulting Staff, Collier Neurologic Specialists, Naples Community Hospital
Matthew J Baker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Amy Kao, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Division of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University; Consulting Staff, Shriners Hospital for Children
Amy Kao, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Epilepsy Society, and Child Neurology Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
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