[Pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid artery: current problems and interesting facts]

This article is a review of the literature concerning the development and progression of pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid artery, also analyzing the parameters of measuring the severity of the pathology involved. The materials were collected using the PubMed platform. The inclusion criteria were as follows: article age not exceeding 5 years, review articles or clinical trials concerning pathological tortuosity of carotid arteries. Results. There was a correlation found between pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid artery and arterial hypertension, connective tissue disease, body mass index, cerebral small vessel disease and the risk of developing internal carotid artery dissection, with no relationship of atherosclerosis and pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid artery. It was revealed that hemodynamic significance of pathological tortuosity is determined by different diagnostic methods, with neither unequivocal parameters nor pathognomonic symptoms. Conclusion. The only objective method of determining the degree of severity of pathological tortuosity is the tortuosity index. This parameter requires further study. Probably, early diagnosis and modification of risk factors contributing to the development and progression of pathological tortuosity of the internal carotid artery would decrease the likelihood of cerebrovascular complications.