What is Moyamoya disease? Ice hockey player Cormick Scanlan, 16, dies after suffering multiple strokes

Over Christmas, an ice hockey player died very unexpectedly from complications brought on by multiple strokes.

Cormick Scanlan, 16, played hockey for the St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association (SPCHA). The association informed the authorities that the ice hockey player had a stroke on December 6, 2022, without warning.

On December 15, 2022, Cormick underwent bypass surgery, when it was discovered that the player had experienced many strokes as a result of a rare disorder known as Moyamoya disease.

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What is Moyamoya disease? 

Moyamoya disease affects the blood vessels in the brain, which causes serious problems like brain bleeds and strokes.

Scanlan had Moyamoya disease, a rare blood vessel condition, according to the ice hockey player’s doctors. In this, blood flow to the brain is decreased because of the narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery in the skull.

As a result, the patient may experience several strokes, ministrokes, or brain haemorrhage. Additionally, it can impact some delays and disabilities as well as how the brain functions.

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The word Moyamoya, which means “puff of smoke,” is a Japanese word. Angiograms, which are blood vessel scans, can identify the condition.

Adults are far too frequently affected by the disease, despite children being its primary target. There are people suffering from this disease all around the world. However, it is more prevalent in East Asian nations, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea. This might be a result of specific genetic elements present in various populations.

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In children, the disease’s symptoms often appear between the ages of 5 and 10, and in adults, between the ages of 30 and 50. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

1. Headache
2. Seizures
3. Weakness
4. Numbness or paralysis
5. Involuntary movements
6. Cognitive or developmental delays

Announcing the death of the 16 year old Scanlan on their website, the St. Paul Capitals Hockey Association said: “The Capitals mourn the loss of Cormick Scanlan. Cormick was a Capitals player from his time as a mini-mite through his past two seasons on our Bantam AA team. Dane Erickson, Cormick’s Bantam AA coach, remembers Cormick as a player of great character, with a great attitude, who always worked hard and finished first in every race – on and off the ice.”