Treatment of moyamoya syndrome in children

Moyamoya syndrome, a known cause of pediatric stroke, is a chronic cerebrovascular occlusive disorder of unknown etiology that can lead to severe, permanent neurologic disability. It is characterized by progressive stenosis of the distal intracranial carotid arteries and branches of the circle of Willis and the nearly simultaneous appearance of basal arterial collateral vessels, which vascularize hypoperfused brain distal to the occluded vessels. Most children with moyamoya syndrome present either with transient ischemic attacks or strokes. This review summarizes the current medical and surgical practices used in the treatment of moyamoya syndrome in children.