Navigating severe vascular tortuosity and cervical carotid loop management in stroke thrombectomy: A case report and review of the literature

Endovascular therapy is the current gold standard treatment for the management of acute ischemic stroke from large vessel occlusion. Despite this, the presence of severe vascular tortuosity and cervical carotid loops can hinder the success of the procedure. We present a case of an 83-year-old female presenting with acute ischemic stroke and extreme tortuosity including common carotid artery and internal carotid artery consecutive loops, as well as a tandem common carotid artery bifurcation thrombus with an M1 segment occlusion. Subsequently, relevant literature is reviewed regarding the technical management of complex thrombectomy cases. The endovascular procedure involved navigating through extreme vascular tortuosity using multiple endovascular tools for optimal reperfusion using delivery devices to facilitate the procedure. Challenges such as vasospasm and straightening of an internal carotid artery loop occurred during the procedure. However, successful thrombectomy was performed using adequate procedural techniques discussed.