Amaurosis Fugax Associated with Stenosis of the Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery: Successful Restoration of Ophthalmic Artery Flow by Stent Placement

ABSTRACT

Two patients presented with amaurosis fugax(AMF), despite treatment with antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants due to previous transient ischemic attacks. Angiography demonstrated severe stenosis in the cavernous and petrous internal carotid artery(ICA) respectively, with reduced flow in the ophthalmic artery(OA). Endovascular stent placement in both patients resulted in normalization of the vessel lumen of the stenotic vessel segments. In addition, complete restoration of OA flow was noted immediately after stenting. Both patients showed no further episode of AMF over a follow-up period of 38 and 23 months respectively. Our clinical and angiographic findings suggest that hemodynamic insufficiency in retinal vasculature caused by a stenosis of the cavernous or petrous ICA can be treated successfully by endovascular stent.