Carotid Bulb Webs as a Cause of “Cryptogenic” Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid webs are intraluminal shelf-like filling defects at the carotid bulb with recently recognized implications in patients with recurrent ischemic stroke. We sought to determine whether carotid webs are an under-recognized cause of "cryptogenic" ischemic stroke and to estimate their prevalence in the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: = 63). RESULTS: = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid webs exhibit a strong association with ischemic stroke, and their presence should be suspected in patients lacking other risk factors, particularly African American women.