Right & Left Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Carotid artery occlusion refers to the blockage or narrowing of the carotid artery, which is one of the major arteries supplying blood to the brain. This condition is often caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the artery walls, which can lead to the formation of a blood clot that completely blocks blood flow.

Right & Left internal carotid artery occlusion

Internal carotid artery occlusion is a serious medical condition that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The internal carotid arteries are two of the major arteries that supply blood to the brain, and their occlusion can lead to a reduction or complete loss of blood flow to the affected side of the brain.

When both the right and left internal carotid arteries are occluded, it is called bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion. This is a rare condition but can lead to severe neurological deficits and disability.

The symptoms of bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion can include a sudden loss of consciousness, seizure, or stroke-like symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or vision changes.

Symptoms

The symptoms of internal carotid artery occlusion can vary depending on the severity and location of the blockage. The following are some of the common symptoms:

• Sudden onset of weakness or numbness on one side of the body, face, or limbs.
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
• Vision changes, such as double vision or partial or complete loss of vision in one eye.
• Sudden, severe headache, especially in the absence of a known cause.
• Dizziness or loss of balance.
• Difficulty with coordination or walking.
• Confusion, disorientation, or memory loss.
• Loss of consciousness, seizure, or coma.

Causes

Internal carotid artery occlusion is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries that can lead to narrowing or complete blockage of the artery. Other possible causes of internal carotid artery occlusion include:

• Blood clots or emboli that form in other parts of the body and travel to the brain, blocking the internal carotid artery.
• Inflammation or infection of the artery, such as in the case of temporal arteritis.
• Trauma or injury to the artery, such as a carotid artery dissection.
• Congenital abnormalities of the artery, such as fibromuscular dysplasia or arterial tortuosity syndrome.
• Rare genetic conditions that affect the structure or function of the artery, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Radiation therapy to the neck or head, which can cause scarring and narrowing of the artery.

Treatment

The treatment for internal carotid artery occlusion depends on the severity of the blockage and the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. The goal of treatment is to prevent further blockage or complications and to improve blood flow to the affected area of the brain. Here are some common treatment options:

Medications

Blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel, or warfarin may be prescribed to prevent blood clots from forming and reduce the risk of stroke.

Lifestyle modifications

Quitting smoking, losing weight, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol through diet and exercise can help improve overall cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of further blockage.

Carotid endarterectomy

This is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon removes the plaque buildup from the inner lining of the carotid artery to restore blood flow to the brain.

Carotid angioplasty and stenting

This is a less invasive procedure that involves the insertion of a catheter with a balloon into the blocked artery to widen it and a stent to keep it open.

Extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery

This is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon connects a blood vessel from outside the skull to a blood vessel inside the skull to bypass the blocked artery and improve blood flow to the brain.