Hi Sharon,

Yes, it is possible. It might be a good idea to, (if you haven't already) look at the very first thread at the top, entitled:
DJ made a general diagnostic process  that may help you.

Angiogram is the definitive diagnostic test that shows the actual moyamoya vessels.

Mar

Sharon,

Yes, it is possible, as I fall into that category.

The MRI will only show the brain itself. A normal MRI indicates that there have been no strokes that have caused damage. A MRA only shows the blood vessels in the brain. Although the tests are typically run together at the same time, you do need to look at both. In my case, the MRI indicated that I did not have a stroke, but my MRA showed that the arteries were smaller and restricted, causing them to look further.

In terms of the Spect scan, mine showed abnormal on the left side, but normal on the right side. The combined results of the MRI/MRA and Spect is why the doctors requested more testing. (TCD, CT-Angiogram, both of which confirmed that my diesease was localized only to the left side).

Also, in my case, they were able to use the CT-Angiogram as the final diagnosis for MM. So far, to date, I have not had a cerebral angiogram.

As always, I am not a doctor, so please take my comments as my  .

Hope this helps,
Greg

Hi Greg...thanks so very much.

I'm in Connecticut...a bit far from Princeton but probably could have (and would have) done it with some more planning.  Right now I'm in the throes of it all....trying to get the MRA scheduled so we can just **know**.  Please see my post on the other thread I started (sorry to monopolize the board) for details of our bounce between our "local" neurologist in Mountainside, New Jersey (who used to be at Columbia but doesn't have access to a specific children's hospital anymore) and Boston Children's Hospital, where we saw a neurolgist that would not even order a SPECT and, when we did it anyway, dismissed the results as unimportant because her MRI was normal.

Meanwhile, my local neurologist, who is the one that told us this is what he suspects last night...did not fill out the requisition yet to do the MRA.  And here I am thinking that she could have her first stroke any day now while I am waiting for the test. (After all, the reason he ordered the SPECT is that he noticed new symptoms involving one side of her body.) I called his office about four times, and he didn't return our call.  I'm torn between going crazy and paging him and trying not to be an out-of-control pest.

Again, thanks so much for the support.  It is very much appreciated.

Sharon

Sharon -

One more thought (I posted on a previous thread that I had my 2 surgeries with Dr. Scott 2 years ago)...I never had a SPECT scan.  I was diagnosed with an MRI, MRA, a battery of blood tests (to rule out other diagnosis) and a cerebral angiogram.  Different docs use different diagnostic processes....just an fyi.  However, angiogram is usually the test to get a definitive diagnosis for MM. 

-Shari