Moyamoya Center Of Excellence

Images of brain scans on computer monitors in lab

Moyamoya Center of Excellence

US News and World Report ranks Neurology & Neurosurgery #2 in the nation.

The Columbia University Moyamoya Center of Excellence provides comprehensive diagnostic, surgical, and follow-up care for adults and children living with Moyamoya. This rare, progressive cerebrovascular disease causes intracranial arterial narrowing and ischemia, resulting in a significant clinical burden for patients when left untreated. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality evidence-based medicine that is tailored to each individual patient’s needs.

Testing and Treatments We Offer

Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnostic cerebral angiography: Conventional diagnostic cerebral angiogram is the gold standard for the diagnosis of Moyamoya and is often necessary for neurosurgical planning.

Performed by our endovascular neurosurgeons, Dr. Sean Lavine and Dr. Grace Mandigo, this catheter-based procedure uses contrast dye and x-ray technology to see the anatomy of the arteries and vessels of the brain and how blood flows through them. This diagnostic study is performed on patients of all ages and is a well-tolerated procedure. After the procedure, patients go home the same day with little to no activity restrictions.

Surgical Treatments

Although there is no cure for moyamoya, an effective long-term treatment is revascularization surgery.

Direct revascularization: A surgical procedure that most commonly involves a superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass or middle meningeal artery (MMA) to MCA bypass. This is typically difficult to perform in pediatric patients due to vessel size.

Indirect revascularization: A surgical procedure where a branch of the superficial temporal artery is placed in contact with the brain so new small arterial vessels form with time.

Our neurosurgeons, Dr. E. Sander Connolly, Jr., and pediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Neil Feldstein are specialists in the treatment of Moyamoya.

Our Expertise

Our world-renowned team has led the field of cerebrovascular neurosurgery for decades, with a high volume of moyamoya surgical cases every year. Our surgical patients also have access to a nationally ranked Neurological Intensive Care Unit, which has achieved Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the highest national honor in nursing.

As many of our moyamoya patients are also living with other associated medical conditions that include hematologic, metabolic, and neurological disorders, our team collaborates with other clinical experts across our hospital system to ensure full continuity of care.