Moyamoya

Moyamoya is a rare disorder that causes the major blood vessels leading to a child's brain to narrow. If left untreated, the vessels become blocked. Moyamoya, first described in Japan in the 1960s, means "puff of smoke" in Japanese, named after the abnormal appearance of the blood vessels.

The narrowing of the blood vessels in children typically causes ischemic stroke because blood flow to the brain is restricted and in adults causes hemorrhagic strokes or bleeding into the brain.

Although the cause of moyamoya is unknown, Japanese and Korean children and those with other disorders such as Down's syndrome, neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis are more frequently affected.

A team of experts at the UCSF Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease Center specializes in treating moyamoya and will work with you and your family to develop the best possible care for your child.

For more information or to make an appointment at the UCSF Pediatric Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center, please call:
Child Neurological Surgery (415) 353-7500

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated August 15, 2007