Early recognition of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after carotid stenting--a case report

The hyperperfusion syndrome is a recognized complication of carotid endarterectomy. Reports of cerebral hyperperfusion injury following internal carotid artery angioplasty and stenting are few We report a case of 76-year-old hypertensive man who was admitted to our hospital for assessment 2 years after experiencing an ischemic stroke of right hemisphere. Angiography confirmed 60% stenosis of left internal carotid artery (ICA). Percutaneous transluminal stenting of left internal carotid artery was performed without any immediate complications. Two hours after the procedure, the patient suddenly deteriorated. Computed tomography (CT) of the brain revealed extensive intracerebral hemorrhage and he died 5 days later. There was precipitating migranous headache, and his blood pressure was moderately elevated at the time of deterioration. Sentinel headache could solely indicate the early sign of hyperperfusion injury after carotid stenting, especially in the presence of arterial hypertension. Patients with sentinel headache after angioplasty should be recognized early and they deserve intensive study for other features of cerebral hyperperfusion injury and prompt early management.