Carotid stenosis is the narrowing of the inner surface, lumen, of a carotid artery. The carotid arteries are the two large arteries located either side of the neck. They play a crucial role in supplying blood to the brain. Most commonly the stenosis is caused by a buildup of plaque, called atherosclerosis.
Symptoms
Often patients are symptom free until the narrowing of the carotid artery reduces blood flow to the brain to the extent it results in a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
- Face: face drooping or uneven smile
- Arm: arm weakness
- Speech: difficulty or slurred speech.
- Sudden head ache, dizziness or vision problems with no known cause
Treatment
Treating risk factors with medication and lifestyle changes is often the first form of treatment. If anti-platelet therapy and aggressively treating vascular risk factors fails then surgery may be an option. Our neurosurgeon and your medical team will discus with you the best treatment for your individual condition.
- Carotid Endartectomy
- Carotid Stent
- Carotid Angioplasty
References: American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Barrow Neurological Institute, National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke, National Institute of Health, National Stroke Association.
