What Are Vascular Diseases?
Vascular diseases affect the veins and arteries (blood vessels) that carry blood around the body. Many different conditions can affect the veins and arteries that deliver blood to the brain and spinal cord. These conditions are rarely found in children.
But malformations of the arteries and veins in the brain and spinal cord can be present when a baby is born (congenital). These problems sometimes have a genetic component.
The vascular (blood vessel) diseases children have most often are:
There is information on these specific diseases later in this article.
Vascular Diseases in Children
Children rarely have vascular diseases of the brain or spinal cord. When they do, the problem is usually present at birth (congenital).
Doctors don’t know what causes many of these abnormalities. But Moyamoya disease and cavernous malformations may be genetic.
Vascular Diseases Diagnosis
Doctors use a number of screening tools to understand your child’s problems and plan treatment.
The diagnosis of a vascular disease of the brain or spinal cord can require many tests, including:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
- Magnetic resonance scans of the arteries (MRA)
- Magnetic resonance scans of the veins (MRV)
- Cerebral angiogram
Vascular Diseases at Seattle Children’s
Our team of skilled experts works together to diagnose and treat these rare and complex problems. We make sure your child gets the care they need.
Our neurosurgeons have a great deal of experience in diagnosing and treating babies and children with vascular diseases of the brain and spinal cord. We also have the specialized equipment needed to operate on babies and children.
Our neurosurgeons have developed a special emphasis in treating Moyamoya disease. Children from across the country come to Children's for surgery, called pial synangiosis. Our neurosurgeons do about six of these operations every year.
Our neurosurgeons also operate on adults with similar conditions at Harborview Medical Center, a part of UW Medicine.