Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
06:59
Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Allowing Reperfusion via Common Carotid Artery Repair in Mice
Published on: January 23, 2019
18.8K
Contralateral reperfusion injury after carotid endarterectomy
L J Greenfield1, M I Chimowitz1, D J Quint2
1From the Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A.
Summary
Reperfusion brain edema, a rare complication after carotid endarterectomy, can occur on the opposite side of surgery. This case report details a patient who developed contralateral cerebral edema following a right carotid endarterectomy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Reperfusion brain edema is an uncommon complication following carotid endarterectomy.
- Previous reports have exclusively documented edema ipsilateral to the surgical site.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of contralateral reperfusion brain edema after carotid endarterectomy.
- To highlight the potential for atypical presentations of this cerebrovascular complication.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 51-year-old woman with left hemiparesis and right internal carotid artery stenosis.
- Diagnostic angiography revealed complex carotid and cerebral artery collateralization.
- Postoperative imaging (CT and MRI) assessed cerebral edema following right carotid endarterectomy.
Main Results:
- The patient underwent right carotid endarterectomy for significant stenosis.
- Postoperatively, the patient developed headache and CT confirmed left parietal lobe edema and petechial changes.
- Follow-up MRI indicated resolution of the edema, with no new focal neurological deficits.
Conclusions:
- This case suggests that reperfusion brain edema can manifest contralaterally to the side of carotid endarterectomy.
- Cerebral edema following carotid endarterectomy, even when contralateral, may resolve spontaneously.
- Further investigation is warranted to understand the mechanisms and incidence of contralateral reperfusion brain edema.
