Moyamoya Syndrome: Treatment and Resources

How do doctors treat moyamoya syndrome?

Treatment depends on whether a person with moyamoya syndrome has had a stroke. There is no unique treatment for stroke associated with moyamoya syndrome. Surgery can be done to prevent further strokes from occurring.

• If they have NOT had a stroke and do not have symptoms, early diagnosis of moyamoya syndrome is an important step in preventing a stroke. Surgery can also prevent a stroke.
• If they are HAVING a stroke, doctors focus on treating the stroke. If a stroke has already occurred, there is no unique treatment for moyamoya syndrome; patients will be treated for the stroke, instead. This will likely require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and possibly medical or surgical intervention. Surgery may be done after your son/daughter is stable, but this can take several weeks.
• In rare cases, blood pressure medications can help manage symptoms before surgery.

Where can I learn more about moyamoya syndrome in people with Down syndrome?

• Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General for Children
  www.massgeneral.org/downsyndrome
• Boston Children’s Hospital
  http://www.childrenshospital.org/centers-and-services/programs/f-_-n/moyamoya-disease-program
• Stanford University Medical Center
  https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-clinics/moyamoya-center.html
• UCLA Health
  https://www.uclahealth.org/cerebrovascular/moyamoya-disease
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
  https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/moyamoya-disease
• National Organization for Rare Diseases
  https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/moyamoya-disease/

Rev. 7/2019. Created by Jonathan Santoro, MD. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this webpage. This webpage is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.