What Are Pediatric Cerebrovascular Disorders?
Cerebrovascular disorders in children are similar to that in adults, however when this occurs in children it is typically a congenital disorder (the patient is born with it).
Pediatric cerebrovascular disorders can include:
- Aneurysms: a part of the blood vessel wall that is weakened and has bulged.
- Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM): an abnormal tangle of arteries and veins.
- Moyamoya disease: clogged arteries near the brainstem. “Moyamoya” is Japanese for “puff of smoke”. Because the arteries are blocked, the body forms a small cluster of blood vessels to help increase the blood flow to the brain. This cluster of blood vessels looks like a puff of smoke, giving the disease its name.
- Vein of Galen Malformations (VGM): a type of arteriovenous malformation that is deep within the brain. This disorder develops before birth.
Symptoms may include vomiting, confusion, headaches, neck stiffness, and/or seizures. Diagnostic imaging may include CT, MRI and/or MRA (MR Angiogram). A CT can be used to quickly evaluate the cause of symptoms, but MRI/MRA are much more thorough and provide a more detailed picture.
How Are Pediatric Cerebrovascular Disorders Treated?
Treatment depends on the type of cerebrovascular disorder and where it is located in the brain. Options may include gamma knife/stereotactic radiosurgery, or surgery to remove or bypass the malformation. Surgery may be open, minimally invasive, or endovascular (catheter inserted into an artery and guided to the area of concern).