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Intraluminal clot of the carotid artery detected radiographically
Insights
Internal carotid artery clots were identified in nine patients, often linked to atherosclerosis or serious illness. No new strokes occurred after treatment, suggesting effective management for these internal carotid artery thrombi.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Intraluminal filling defects in the internal carotid artery can indicate serious vascular events.
- Understanding the etiology and outcomes of carotid artery thrombus is crucial for patient management.
Observation:
- Angiography revealed intraluminal filling defects, identified as clot, within the internal carotid artery in nine patients.
- Thrombus was predominantly unilateral (eight patients) but bilateral in one.
- The majority of clots (eight of ten) were associated with atheromatous plaques.
Findings:
- Three patients presented with serious concurrent illnesses, including pancreatic cancer, rheumatoid arthritis with arteritis, and chronic pulmonary disease with polycythemia.
- Severe atherosclerosis was implicated in three cases.
- In three young patients, carotid thrombi were unexplained, though two had coagulation abnormalities.
Implications:
- No patient experienced a new stroke following surgical or anticoagulant therapy.
- These findings highlight the importance of investigating intraluminal filling defects in the internal carotid artery.
- Effective management strategies may prevent further cerebrovascular events in patients with carotid thrombus.
Abstract:
Nine patients had intraluminal filling defects identifiable as clot within the internal carotid artery at angiography. Thrombus was unilateral in eight, bilateral in one. Eight of the 10 clots were attached to atheromatous plaques. Three patients had serious concurrent illness: pancreatic cancer, rheumatoid arthritis with arteritis, and chronic pulmonary disease with polycythemia. In three patients, the clot was related to severe atherosclerosis. In three other patients, all young, the carotid thrombi remained unexplained though two of these patients had coagulation abnormalities. No patient had a new stroke after surgical or anticoagulant treatment.