The girl experienced frequent headaches for two years, occurring for about 15 days each month. Despite visiting many places, her symptoms were often mistaken for those of Basedow's disease. Recently, after being diagnosed with dengue fever, she developed facial distortion and left-sided paralysis 5 days later. A lower-level MRI scan led doctors to suspect moyamoya disease, prompting her transfer to Cho Ray Hospital.
On 8/3, Dr. Tran Minh Tri, Deputy Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Cho Ray Hospital, stated that specialized imaging confirmed the patient's condition as moyamoya disease. This congenital cerebral vasculopathy carries a high risk of recurrent ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, particularly in young individuals.
The team performed an intracranial-extracranial cerebral artery bypass surgery to restore blood flow to the affected brain region. A key innovation in the operation was the application of a microsurgical microscope with integrated vascular fluorescence function, which Cho Ray Hospital has been using since mid-2025. By injecting ICG fluorescent dye, surgeons could clearly visualize blood vessels during the procedure. This allowed them to select suitable vessels for anastomosis and confirm the immediate success of the surgery, a significant improvement over relying solely on subjective experience.
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Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital perform surgery on a patient. Photo: Hospital provided |
This precise intervention yielded dramatic results. Immediately after surgery, the patient began to move her previously completely paralyzed left arm. Just 24 hours later, her left arm strength recovered almost to normal, and her facial paralysis significantly improved. The patient was discharged after one week. During her follow-up appointment in early 3, her health had improved by about 80%.
According to Dr. Tran Huy Hoan Bao, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, cerebral artery bypass surgery is a foundational method to prevent recurrent strokes in moyamoya patients. Over the past 18 years, Cho Ray Hospital has treated over 600 cases, making it the unit with the highest number of surgeries nationwide for this complex condition.
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Dr. Tri checks the patient's motor function after surgery. Photo: Hospital provided |
The European Stroke Organization recommends recognizing moyamoya disease by symptoms such as: chronic headaches, transient ischemic attacks (weakness, paralysis, speech difficulties, numbness in limbs or face), and stroke at a young age. Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should seek specialized medical examination at a hospital to prevent stroke risks and receive timely treatment.
Le Phuong
