Cephalic Arterial Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Abstract

Fifty-two cases of fibromuscular dysplasia involving the cephalic arterial system are analyzed. This study revealed that the cervical portion of any cephalic vessel may be involved. Multiple vessels often show changes, but the internal carotid artery was most frequently affected. The "typical string of beads" deformity located in a segment of a cephalic vessel adjacent to the second cervical vertebra is pathognomonic of the condition. In this series, the pathologic examination revealed fibromuscular dysplasia of the medial fibroplasia type with microaneurysms.