Safety and efficacy of staged bilateral carotid artery stenting for bilateral carotid webs

Carotid webs are endoluminal shelf-like projections caused by fibrous dysplasia observed along the dorsal carotid bulb of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Symptomatic lesions have historically been treated with endarterectomy or stent placement and there is little data to support treating a patient with medical management alone. An asymptomatic contralateral carotid web may be discovered during stroke work-up. In this study, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of staged bilateral carotid artery stenting for bilateral carotid webs. We report three cases: the first patient presented with recurrent transient ischemic attacks attributable to an ipsilateral ICA with associated carotid web and the other two presented with right middle cerebral artery strokes requiring emergent endovascular mechanical thrombectomy. Bilateral carotid webs were identified, with the ipsilateral lesion considered the likely embolic source. All three patients underwent successful carotid stenting of their symptomatic carotid webs followed by staged contralateral stenting of their asymptomatic webs. All patients were premedicated with a dual antiplatelet regimen of aspirin and clopidogrel. There was no clinical history of recurrent stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) or death peri-procedurally or in follow-up. Bilateral carotid web stenting is a safe and effective treatment in patients presenting with symptomatic carotid webs with associated contralateral lesions.