Spontaneous recanalization of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion: A case report / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous recanalization after chronic occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare phenomenon, and its mechanism is not clear. This article reports a case of chronic occlusion of the extracranial segment of the right ICA. The right ICA occlusion was confirmed by the DSA and one year later, DSA showed the recanalization of occlusion ICA with tandem stenosis of the origin and the proximal petrosal segment. Carotid artery stenting was successfully performed, and postoperative angiography showed that the right ICA was patent and the stenosis was obviously improved. Therefore, drug therapy could be continued when artery lumen was completely normal or slightly narrow after spontaneous recanalization of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion;carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting may be considered for tandem stenosis or severe stenosis with high risk of ischemic events.