Moyamoya disease

Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive vascular disease characterized by occlusion or stenosis of the intracranial carotid arteries, which reduces blood flow to the brain. To maintain blood flow to the brain, small blood vessels at the base of the brain begin to dilate. Japanese scholars first reported this disease. On cerebral angiography of patients, dense clusters of small blood vessels can be seen at the base of the brain, resembling a puff of smoke, hence the name Moyamoya disease (Moyamoya means "a puff of smoke" in Japanese). Moyamoya disease can occur at any age, but it is more common in children and young adults, with two peak ages of onset: 10-14 years old and around 40 years old.