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BERNARD BENDOK: Historically, Moyamoya disease was thought to be a rare disease confined mostly to individuals of Asian origin. What we've learned over the last 10 to 20 years, in part due to some amazing research coming out of Mayo Clinic, is that any ethnic group can be affected by Moyamoya disease. And Moyamoya disease is probably more common than we realize. And I think to make the diagnosis does require a specialized team that knows how to recognize the symptoms.
JAMES KLAAS: It's an imaging-based diagnosis. It involves looking at the blood vessels within the brain. And it also involves the functional MRI component looking at the vasal reactivity or cerebrovascular reserve. With some of the advancements that we've had like high resolution vessel wall imaging, we are able to establish a pattern that is very characteristic of Moyamoya versus other diseases like atherosclerosis.
PAUL LINDELL: In terms of game changers here at Mayo Clinic, we have a number of wonderful technologies like 7 Tesla MRI and the hybrid procedural suite and even the 3D lab and its integration with surgery in terms of creating templates for surgery.
BERNARD BENDOK: One of the visions we developed at Mayo Clinic was a vision that would move us closer and closer towards a future where surgery was very precise, being done at the lowest possible risk, where we would bring the best of surgical expertise, the best of imaging, the best of catheter techniques together along with a lot of developing technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, fluorescence imaging all together in one surgical suite. We're tackling very complicated problems that are three dimensional problems that are multifaceted problems. But we're making it easier by blending the virtual knowledge with the physical knowledge to deliver the very best for the patient, hopefully, every single time.
JAMES KLAAS: It's a rare condition a lot of people are very uncomfortable treating. We collaborate very closely with our referring providers. We look to them, honestly, for how much they want us to do. We're happy to confirm the diagnosis, make our recommendations, and hand the patient back to their care if that's what they prefer. In a disease like Moyamoya that is rare. There's no harm in learning more about this and getting confirmation that that's what you're dealing with. I always think that a second opinion, especially in this condition, is of utmost importance.
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