[Medical Q&A] Is moyamoya disease caused by smoke?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Xu Jun, Chief Physician, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University

Moyamoya disease is not a disease caused by smoke, but a chronic cerebrovascular disease, which is mainly manifested by the gradual narrowing and occlusion of blood vessels at the base of the brain, resulting in compensatory dilation of blood vessels that looks like a cloud of smoke in imaging examinations. This disease can occur at any age, but is most common in children aged 5 to 10 and adults around 40 years old.

In terms of clinical manifestations, most cases of moyamoya disease in children present with ischemic symptoms, and more than half of adult patients present with cerebral ischemia, while the remaining half will experience cerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral ischemia manifests as headaches, epileptic seizures, poor memory, and even cognitive impairment. If the above symptoms are not taken seriously, severe cases may lead to cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage.

Therefore, if children often complain of headaches, or adults have long-term headaches, memory loss, or mental disorders without obvious causes, they must go to the hospital for examination in time. In addition to magnetic resonance imaging, the examination items should also include cerebrovascular examinations, such as magnetic resonance angiography or CT angiography, so as to facilitate early detection and early treatment.