Long-Term Outcomes and Management of Atypical Carotid Web in Nonagenarian

Abstract

Internal carotid artery webs (ICAWs) have been described as noninflammatory, nonatherosclerotic shelf-like projections of intimal fibrous tissue which may be the culprit for embolic stroke of unknown origin. Carotid webs are an atypical form of intimal fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and internal carotid webs create areas of stagnation and recirculation distal to the web that favor thrombus formation and embolism. Symptomatic carotid webs are conventionally associated with young women presenting with few vascular risk factors and < 50% stenosis in the affected ICA. ICAWs are being described more and more in the vascular literature, but the management of this pathology remains unclear. We describe a rare case of a 90-year-old male who presented with a significantly sclerosed symptomatic right ICAW without evidence of comorbid atherosclerotic disease. The clinical management, intraoperative findings, and postoperative course are described herein. At the age of 90, this patient is the oldest case of symptomatic carotid web recorded in the literature. Successful management with a carotid endarterectomy is an appropriate strategy for treatment even in a nonagenarian. We would favor carotid endarterectomy over carotid artery stenting given the circumferential, fibrotic nature of these lesions.