Carotid stump syndrome in radiation-induced bilateral carotid occlusive vasculopathy

To document the occurrence of radiation-induced vasculopathy as a delayed complication in the treatment of head and neck cancers.

We present the case history and review the imaging findings in a 51-year-old man with a history of nasopharyngeal cancer, treated with radiotherapy 10 years prior to admission, who presented with a stroke syndrome. The pathophysiology, clinical and imaging features, and development of collateral pathways due to radiation-induced vasculopathy are discussed.

The patient had occlusion of the right and left common carotid arteries, as well as of the left internal carotid artery and the right subclavian artery. The proximally occluded vessels ended in tapered "stumps". CT angiography with Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) and 3D Volume Rendering Technique (VRT) displayed the collateralisation of the occluded arteries via the thyrocervical trunks and ascending cervical arteries.

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer is associated with a significantly increased incidence of radiation-induced vasculopathy and cerebrovascular ischaemic events. Carotid stump syndrome should be considered as a rare but serious cause of recurrent stroke and stroke-like symptoms.