Allen Silverstein

Occlusive Disease of the Carotid Arteries

Within the last 10 years there has been increasing recognition of the frequency of spontaneous occlusions of the carotid arteries as a cause for neurologic deficit, and several reports of successful therapy instituted early in the disease have appeared. Since many patients with symptoms due to carotid occlusion will be seen initially by the general practitioner or internist, increased awareness and knowledge of the condition seem warranted. The clinical and laboratory features of 50 patients with proved carotid occlusions are presented, the varying clinical pictures produced by such occlusions are described, and the potential means of therapy are discussed.

Occlusion of the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery

WHILE OCCLUSIONS of the most proximal portion of the internal carotid artery, at its origin in the neck, are quite common and are readily recognized, occlusions of the most distal portion are relatively rare and may not b e adequately appreciated. This is a report of 7 patients in whom angiography demonstrated complete occlusions at the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery. This refers to the intradural portion of the artery and corresponds to the anatomic “cerebral” portion or the arteriographic “C 1” designation. It is of interest that all 7 patients were under the age of 40 years when studied and that, in several, conditions other than atherosclerosis were thought to be responsible for their occlusions.