[A case of internal carotid artery occlusion with recurrent amaurosis fugax]

Reported is the case of a 61-year-old man with a 2-year history of recurrent amaurosis fugax in the left eye attributable to left internal carotid artery occlusion. Cerebral angiography showed occlusion of origin of the left internal carotid artery, collateral pathway from the left external carotid artery to the left internal carotid artery through the left ophthalmic artery, 25% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery, and collateral pathway to left internal carotid arterial system through the Willis ring. We concluded that emboli through the left external carotid artery from the site of left internal carotid artery occlusion might cause amaurosis fugax in this case, because of the findings described below. 1. sudden onset and rapid recovery of visual loss. 2. ipsilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery and retrograde filling of the ophthalmic artery by cerebral angiography. 3. the diminishment of attacks of amaurosis fugax by the administration of antiplatelet drug.