Separate origins of the left internal and external carotid arteries from the aorta in a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage

Agenesis of the left common carotid artery with separate origins of the left internal and external carotid arteries from the aorta is an extremely rare anomaly. This anomaly is typically asymptomatic unless associated with other conditions. We report a case of separate origins of the left internal and external carotid arteries from the aorta in a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage. A 42-year-old man was transferred to our hospital by ambulance because of left hemiparesis. Computed tomography scan revealed right putaminal hemorrhage. Computed tomography angiography and digital subtraction angiography demonstrated independent origins of the left internal carotid artery and external carotid artery from the aortic arch. Right internal carotid angiography revealed blood supply to the left anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery via the anterior communicating artery. The separate origins of the left internal and external carotid arteries from the aorta may cause hemodynamic stress to the contralateral side, leading to right intracerebral hemorrhage.     

Endovascular Treatment of the Carotid Stump Syndrome

In patients with an occluded internal carotid artery, the carotid stump syndrome is a potential source of microemboli that pass through the ipsilateral external carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery to the territory of the middle cerebral artery. Thus, the syndrome is associated with carotid territory symptoms although the internal carotid artery is occluded. Surgical exclusion of the internal carotid artery associated with endarterectomy of the external carotid artery has been described as the gold standard of treatment by many authors. This report is the second case, to our knowledge, of endovascular treatment of the carotid stump syndrome with the use of a stent-graft.     

Endovascular therapy of intractable epistaxis complicated by carotid artery occlusive disease.

Three cases of intractable spontaneous posterior epistaxis refractory to nasal packing and complicated by ipsilateral carotid artery occlusive disease were successfully treated with internal maxillary artery occlusion with microcoils. There were no complications and no recurrent episodes of epistaxis at a mean follow-up of 12 months. The presence of ipsilateral carotid artery disease requires modification of standard distal internal maxillary artery embolization because of the recruitment of external carotid to internal carotid and external carotid to ophthalmic artery collateral pathways, with subsequent risk of particle embolization of these arterial distributions. Proximal internal maxillary artery microcoil embolization eliminates this risk and is equivalent to surgical internal maxillary artery ligation. This procedure also provides additional information about the internal carotid artery collateral circulation.     

Vertebrocarotid collateral in extracranial carotid artery occlusions: digital subtraction angiography findings

The internal and external carotid arteries are usually considered occluded distal to a common carotid artery occlusion but some collateral vessels may provide blood keeping the internal and external carotid arteries patent distal to the occlusion. Most common communication in such a case is diversion of blood from muscular branches of the vertebral artery to occipital branch of the external carotid artery which in turn could maintain blood flow into the internal carotid artery, a condition called carotid steal. We encountered vertebrocarotid anastomoses maintaining the patency of carotid circulation in six patients. Patients were four females and two males, ages ranging from 40 to 67 (mean age: 56) years. Five of the patients had ischemic cerebral symptoms. The origin of the external carotid artery was occluded in two and the whole common carotid artery in the remaining four patients. Two patients had double steal, carotid and subclavian at the same time. There was also severe stenosis or occlusion of at least one other major extracranial cerebral artery in all the cases. This concomitant involvement of the second extracranial cerebral artery was thought to be the main reason for the development of vertebrocarotid collateral. In contrast to most of the previously published reports claiming the inadequacy of angiography when compared with colour Doppler ultrasonography, angiography finely depicted the distal patency of the carotid circulation and all the collaterals in detail in every case. Selective injection of the vertebral artery ipsilateral to the occlusion, is the key to demonstrate distal patency of the carotid circulation in cases of proximal carotid occlusion. Demonstration of patency of the distal circulation is very important because some of the patients might get benefit from a reconstructive surgery.     

Successful embolization of a fistula between the ascending pharyngeal artery and internal jugular vein

Summary The case of a fistula between the ascending pharyngeal artery and internal jugular vein in a patient with a high jugular bulb is presented. The lesion was missed by selective internal and external carotid angiography due to technical reasons, but was well demonstrated by common carotid and subsequent superselective ascending pharyngeal angiography. A single Gelfoam embolus soaked in Pantopaque obliterated the lesion.     

脑膜瘤的DSA及术前栓塞治疗

目的探讨脑膜瘤血管造影表现及手术前栓塞治疗的应用。方法36例经病理确诊的脑膜瘤,术前全部行全脑血管DSA造影,将其中主要由颈外动脉供血的22例患者用PVA栓塞,栓塞治疗后3～10d行手术切除。结果36例患者中,单纯由颈外动脉供血的9例,颈外动脉和颈内动脉供血的25例,颈内动脉供血2例。22例行肿瘤供血动脉栓塞的患者中,栓塞后肿瘤血管染色完全消失16例,染色明显减轻6例。栓塞后行手术切除的22例脑膜瘤患者,病灶被全部切除,术中平均出血150～500ml。结论脑膜瘤可由颈内、颈外动脉单独或混合供血,脑膜瘤的术前颈外动脉栓塞有利于减少术中出血及肿瘤的完整切除。     

Muscular and CNS effects of carotid artery administration of contrast media in rabbits

Facial muscle twitching during intracarotid injections of nonionic contrast media has been observed in rabbits. To investigate the cause of this reaction, cortical EEG and facial EMG recordings were made from rabbits receiving selective internal and external carotid artery injections of control solutions (normal saline, mannitol), an ionic contrast medium (meglumine iothalamate), and three nonionic contrast media (iohexol, iopromide, and iotrolan). Internal carotid artery injections with all contrast media, both ionic and nonionic, produced ipsilateral EEG changes in 24 of 28 animals; however, ipsilateral EMG changes and visible twitching were observed only in animals injected with nonionic contrast media. Internal carotid artery injections with control ionic and nonionic solutions (physiological saline and mannitol, respectively) produced no EEG changes in any animals. Mannitol produced only ipsilateral EMG changes and visible twitching in most animals. The severity of the reaction to mannitol was generally less than that to the nonionic contrast media, and this difference was statistically significant when comparing mannitol with iohexol and iotrolan but not with iopromide. External carotid artery injections with nonionic solutions (contrast media and mannitol) produced significantly more severe ipsilateral EMG changes and visible twitching than were recorded with the internal carotid artery injections. Ionic solutions (contrast media and saline) had no effect. EEG changes were not observed after external carotid artery injection of any solution, with the exception of two of the seven animals injected with iotrolan. Angiography demonstrated retrograde filling of the external carotid arterial system from internal carotid artery injection via functioning orbital anastamoses. In contrast, internal carotid arterial vessels were not seen angiographically after external carotid artery injection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Angiographic observations on chemodectomas of the head and neck.

Angiographic experience with chemodectomas in 21 patients is reviewed. Arterial supply was identified from the vertebral artery, the internal carotid artery, and branches of the external carotid artery. A striated cephalad extension from a cervical chemodectoma (five patients) is believed to represent arterial supply to tumor in vein. In two patients, internal and external carotid arteriograms did not opacify important arteries originating near the carotid bifurcation. Retrograde filling of sigmoid sinus (four patients), tumor mass in jugular vein (two patients), and arteriovenous shunting (nine patients) were observed during the venous phase. Thorough angiogra phy is essential for evaluation of chemodectomas of the head and neck.     

纯脑膜动静脉瘘的血管造影及血管内治疗

目的 探讨纯脑膜动静脉瘘的诊断及其治疗效果。资料与方法 对41例纯脑膜动静脉瘘的血管造影表现及血管内栓塞治疗进行回顾性总结、分析。选择性颈内、颈外动脉及椎动脉造影，了解供血动脉及瘘口的部位、血流方向及静脉窦显示情况。诊断明确后，将导管插入靶动脉靠近瘘口行栓塞治疗。41例中，37倒单纯行血管内栓塞治疗，3例栓塞后再行手术，1例先手术再行血管内栓塞。结果 单侧颈外动脉1支血管供血5倒；双侧颈外动脉多支血管供血23例；双侧颈内、外动脉和／或椎动脉的脑膜支同时参与供血13例。瘘口位于海绵窦壁18例，上矢状窦壁7例，横窦壁5例，乙状窦壁3例，脑膜静脉壁3例，皮层静脉壁5例。颈外动脉栓塞治疗有效率87．5％，颈内动脉和／或椎动脉的脑膜支栓塞治疗有效率23．1％。结论 脑血管造影是确诊和研究本病唯一可靠的手段。对单有颈外动脉供血的纯脑膜动静脉瘘采用血管内栓塞治疗是安全、有效的方法。颈内动脉及椎动脉的脑膜支参与供血的情况下，则应对血管内栓塞后再手术为宜。     

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in carotid angioplasty and stenting with balloon embolic protection devices

We compared the results of two procedures to protect against distal embolism caused by embolic debris from carotid angioplasty with stent deployment (CAS) using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study group comprised 39 men and 3 women (42 and 3 CAS procedures, respectively) with severe carotid stenosis (average age 70.0±6.6 years). During 20 CAS procedures the internal carotid artery was protected with a single balloon. A PercuSurge GuardWire was used for temporary occlusion. During 25 CAS procedures the internal and external carotid arteries were simultaneously temporarily occluded with a PercuSurge GuardWire and a Sentry balloon catheter, respectively. Diffusion-weighted MRI was performed 1 to 3 days after CAS. Data from 26 patients undergoing conventional angiography for diagnosis of cerebral ischemic disease, cerebral aneurysm or brain tumors were included as controls. Diffusion-weighted MRI after conventional diagnostic angiography showed ischemic spots in 3 of the 26 controls (11.5%). Ischemic spots were observed during 11 of 20 CAS procedures with the internal carotid artery protected with a single balloon (55.0%), and were observed during 9 of 25 CAS procedures with both the internal and external carotid arteries protected (36.0%). This difference was significant (P=0.0068). Ischemic lesions appeared not only ipsilateral to the carotid stenosis but also in the contralateral carotid artery (31.9%) and vertebrobasilar territory (25.3%). Better protection was obtained with simultaneous double occlusion of both the internal and external carotid artery than with single protection of the internal carotid artery during CAS.     

Type I proatlantal artery with bilateral absence of the external carotid arteries

During color Doppler examination of a 41-year-old man who presented with vertigo, a right vertebral artery could not be found. Both MR angiography and digital subtraction angiography revealed a large anastomotic vessel between the right internal carotid and vertebral artery. It was thought to be type I proatlantal artery. Furthermore, the external carotid arteries were bilaterally absent. Although each vascular anomaly mentioned above is rare, it even more rare for these variations to occur simultaneously.     

Participation of the external and internal carotid arteries in the blood supply of acoustic neurinomas.

Six cases of acoustic neurinoma are presented in which the tumor is supplied by branches of the external carotid artery, with or without supply from the internal carotid artery. A new angiographic protocol for the investigation of masses in the cerebellopontine angle is suggested. According to early results of the CT scan, acoustic neurinomas always appear to be hypervascular following the injection of contrast media.     

Anatomical variations of the carotid bifurcation: implications for digital subtraction angiography and ultrasonography

Intravenous digital subtraction angiography was used to determine prospectively the positional variations of the common carotid bifurcation in 100 consecutive patients with clinically suspected arteriosclerotic disease. The most common position (97/200, 48.5%) of the external carotid artery was anteromedial to the internal carotid artery. Position of the external carotid artery anterolateral to the internal carotid artery was noted in 26/200 (13%) bifurcations, but this anatomical variant was more common on the right (21/100) than on the left (5/100) (p less than 0.01). Practical implications may be drawn from this study. For digital subtraction angiography, the left anterior oblique view has to be considered the projection of choice and the right common carotid bifurcation is less likely to be adequately displayed than the left one; for duplex ultrasonography, optimal visualization is obtained from a posterolateral orientation of the transducer.     

Superselective internal carotid arteriography and embolization

Superselective arteriography and superselective embolisation is the future of a part of neuroradiology. After the first realisation in the territory of the external carotid artery, it was logical to extend it to the territory of the internal carotid artery. The technic of the balloon-catheter of Serbinenko is described and problems of embolisation in the internal carotid artery are discussed.     

Non-visualization of the internal carotid artery with a normal ipsilateral common carotid artery Doppler waveform: a finding suggesting congenital absence of the ICA on colour Doppler ultrasound

We report a case of congenital absence of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) that presented with left-sided facial numbness. On MRI of the brain, occlusion of the left cavernous ICA was suggested. On colour Doppler ultrasound (CDS), the left ICA was not visualized and the ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA) showed normal flow in systole and diastole. Combined with the correct identification of the left external carotid artery (ECA), these findings were suggestive of congenital absence of the ICA rather than occlusion. The final diagnosis of congenital absence of the ICA was confirmed with CT of the skull base.     

彩色多普勒超声对颈动脉体瘤的诊断价值

 目的 探讨彩色多普勒超声在颈动脉体瘤诊断中的应用价值.方法 回顾性分析7例颈动脉体瘤患者的二维及彩色多普勒超声表现.所有病例均经手术病理证实.结果 颈动脉体瘤二维超声表现为颈动脉分叉处见实质性低回声肿块,边界清晰,边缘规则或呈分叶状.肿瘤较小时,多位于颈总动脉分叉处,使颈内、外动脉间距增大,形状多较规则;肿瘤较大时,常围绕血管生长.彩色多普勒超声均可见肿瘤内有较丰富的彩色血流信号,以动脉血流为主;CDFI还能清晰显示肿瘤与颈动脉的关系.结论 二维及彩色多普勒超声对诊断颈动脉体瘤具有无创、安全、特异性、准确性高的特点,有利于同颈部其他性质包块的鉴别诊断,是目前颈动脉体瘤诊断的首选方法.     

Unilateral absence of the external carotid artery

We report a patient with absence of the external carotid artery. The major external branches originate from the internal carotid artery which is really a common arterial trunk. The embryology and clinical significance of this rare vascular anomaly are discussed.     

Delayed effects in the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas

Carotid-cavernous fistulas may be classified into: (1) internal carotid, (2) external carotid, or (3) a combination of both. They may result from traumatic or spontaneous rupture of the carotid artery into the cavernous sinus. Intravascular embolization has become the treatment of choice for the management of carotid cavernous fistulas. The authors report the delayed effects after the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas with experience of 74 cases over the past 6 years. The delayed effects may be summarized as follows: (1) progressive spontaneous occlusion of the fistula after partial balloon embolization, (2) false aneurysms may decrease in size and be spontaneously sealed off, (3) transient and persistent third or sixth cranial nerve palsy may be seen in about 16% of 74 cases, (4) posttraumatic fibrosis with narrowing of the carotid artery may be apparent after total occlusion of the fistula, (5) a prematurely deflated balloon may be dislodged into the carotid artery or its branch, and (6) spontaneous obliteration of common channels from internal carotid artery may occur after total occlusion of external carotid channels in those cases with a combination of internal carotid- and external carotid-cavernous fistulas. Certainly the delayed effect will alter our future planning in the treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas.     

Percutaneous puncture of the external carotid artery or its branches after surgical ligation.

PURPOSETo describe the technique and results of percutaneous puncture of the external carotid artery or one of its branches distal to a surgical arterial ligation.METHODSForty-three patients underwent 64 embolization attempts by percutaneous arterial puncture distal to an external carotid artery ligation. The punctured arteries were the trunk of the external carotid artery in 31 patients, the internal maxillary artery in nine, the facial artery in nine, the lingual artery in eight, the occipital artery in four, and the superficial temporal artery in three.RESULTSIn 64 attempts 57 were successful in one session, six were successful in two sessions, and one failed. Puncture-related complications were eight spontaneously resolving hematomas and six asymptomatic punctures of the internal carotid artery.CONCLUSIONAfter surgical ligation of the external carotid artery or its branches, arterial puncture above the ligation allowed selective catheterization and endovascular occlusion of vascular lesions.     

26例颈动脉体瘤的外科治疗体会

目的：探讨颈动脉体瘤(Carotid body tumor,CBT)的诊断和治疗经验。方法：26例患者，分别血管多普勒B超检测及单侧血管造影术或数字减影血管造影术(Digital subtrasound angiography，DSA)，明确诊断。术前均行颈动脉压迫试验。手术治疗，其中瘤体剥离式切除9例；颈外动脉同时切除15例；颈内动脉部分切除，颈总、颈内人造血管搭桥术1例；颈总动脉分叉处切除、颈内外动脉吻合1例。结果：除2例合并脑部并发症并治愈，无1例死亡。结论：DSA对CBT的诊断最具权威性，术前颈动脉压迫训练，正确的术式选择是减少脑部并发症保证手术成功的关键。