Posted by Marlene on October 22, 2003 at 20:30:30:
In Reply to: MM for 40 years ? posted by jv on October 22, 2003 at 01:19:39:
There isn't a great deal of information out there about moyamoya, but what is out there are facts. One being that it is a progressive deterioration of neurologic function. Without the proper treatment, you could be a ticking time bomb for a major stroke. Seeking the best surgery for each individual case is the best we know thus far. Sending your films to the best known specialists on moyamoya for a second and third opinion and getting all the facts is the best you can do, IMO
The medical info DJ provides on this site says it all:
The condition leads to irreversible blockage of the main blood vessels to the brain as they enter into the skull. It is a disease that tends to affect children and adults in the third to fourth decades of life. In children it tends to cause strokes or seizures. In adults it tends to cause bleeding or strokes. The clinical features are cerebral ischaemia (strokes), recurrent transient ischaemic attacks (TIA's or "mini strokes"), sensorimotor paralysis (numbness in the extremeties), convulsions and/or migraine-like headaches.
The process of blockage (vascular occlusion) ONCE IT BEGINS it tends to continue despite any known medical management UNLESS TREATED WITH SURGERY. The repeated strokes can lead to severe functional impairment or even death so that it is important to recognize these lesions and treat them EARLY ON. WITHOUT TREATMENT, there is progressive deterioration of neurologic function and re-hemorrhage.
Time isn't on your side with this disease.