Fibromuscular dysplasia (also known as FMD) is a medical condition characterized by abnormal cell growth in the walls of arteries of the body."

Source : Circulation, Volume 125, Number 18

It can affect any medium-sized artery in the body, and was first described in 1938. The arteries tend to form 'beads' rather than having the normal smooth walls. The beading can eventually lead to arterial blockages and leaks.

Its cause is currently unknown, though around 10% of cases appear to have hereditary links. In addition, there are no confirmed figures for its prevalence in the population. There are suggestions that it may be much more prevalent than suspected, because many patients are more or less symptom-free (FMD being detected when the patients are screened for some other medical problem).

Further info. for patients and clinicians : Fibromuscular Dysplasia Society of America

Further technical reading :Diagnosis, management, and future developments of fibromuscular dysplasia, Journal of vascular surgery, Volume 53, Issue 3.