Carotid web: a little-known etiology of recurrent stroke - case report

Carotid web is a rare and poorly understood condition associated with cryptogenic and recurrent acute ischemic stroke in young patients without atherosclerotic risk factors. We describe the case of a 58-year-old female patient with hypertension and dyslipidemia who had recurrent ischemic strokes for 5 years. Presence of carotid web was suggested by Doppler ultrasonography and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. The patient underwent endarterectomy and, due to satisfactory internal carotid reflux, it was decided not to use a temporary vascular shunt. Endarterectomy and arteriorrhaphy with a bovine pericardium patch were performed. Although carotid web can be seen with imaging exams, detection can be challenging and it can mimic other conditions, such as arterial dissection, non-calcified atherosclerotic plaque, and intraluminal thrombus. The ease with which it can go unnoticed or misdiagnosed highlights the need to understand this disease.