OCCLUSION OF THE CAROTID ARTERIES

TLDR

The occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery has long been recognized as a major factor in cerebrovascular disease, yet most cases seen in neurosurgical practice are highly selected. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive clinicopathological examination of carotid occlusion cases, a procedure rarely undertaken in arteriographically diagnosed patients. The authors examined a series of autopsy cases, including both cerebrovascular accident patients and control subjects. Autopsy results over two years confirmed the earlier prediction that cervical carotid occlusion plays a major role in cerebrovascular disease.

Abstract

IN AN EARLIER paper¹the broad problem of occlusion of the cervical portion of the internal carotid artery was discussed in the light of knowledge existing at that time, and the prediction was made that it would prove to be of major importance in the study of cerebrovascular disease. During the past two years the cervical portion of the carotid arteries has been studied routinely at autopsy, and the results show clearly the validity of this prediction. The cases examined have included not only many instances of cerebrovascular accident but many cases serving as controls. The need for such a clinicopathological study was clearly indicated on two counts: In the first place, a full pathological examination has almost never been made in the recorded cases of carotid occlusion diagnosed by arteriography. Moreover, the cases of carotid occlusion which reach the neurosurgical clinic are usually highly selected, and a true