Choreoathetosis in Moyamoya Disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Cerebrovascular Medicine

Background:

• Moyamoya disease is a rare cerebrovascular disorder.
• It typically involves progressive narrowing of the internal carotid arteries.
• Movement disorders are an uncommon presentation of moyamoya disease.

Observation:

• An 11-year-old girl presented with involuntary movements (hemichorea) and academic decline.
• Neurological examination revealed right hemichorea with preserved muscle strength.
• Neuroimaging demonstrated left hemisphere hypoperfusion and a hypertrophic distal lenticulostriate artery.

Findings:

• The patient's movement disorder symptoms improved with medication and cerebral revascularization.
• This case suggests a potential role for asymmetric lenticulostriate arteries in moyamoya-related movement disorders.
• The improvement after asymmetry reduction supports this hypothesis.

Implications:

• This case highlights an unusual presentation of moyamoya disease.
• It suggests that lenticulostriate artery asymmetry may contribute to movement disorders in moyamoya.
• Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between moyamoya disease and movement disorders.