Isolated internal carotid artery dissection in a long-distance runner

• Main Authors: Krzysztof Wachal, Paweł Koczewski, Marcin Gabriel, Wojciech Kociemba
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2016-12-01
• Series: Videosurgery and Other Miniinvasive Techniques
• Subjects: <I>long-distance running; marathon; binocular visual impairment; vascular angioplasty; carotid artery dissection</I>
• Online Access: https://www.termedia.pl/Isolated-internal-carotid-artery-dissection-in-a-long-distance-runner,42,28869,1,1.html

We present a case of internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) in the precranial segment, which caused binocular visual impairment in a 49-year-old man during a marathon race. The incident lasted 3 hours, after which the symptoms resolved. Imaging tests showed internal carotid artery dissection. No ophthalmologic changes were identified. After 6 weeks of ineffective non-invasive treatment the patient underwent vascular surgery – stent implantation into the damaged artery. Detailed diagnostic tests and adequate treatment allowed us to achieve a good clinical result. Upon the suspicion of ICAD it is recommended to extend standard Doppler ultrasound performed with a linear transducer and evaluate the proximal segment of the internal carotid artery with a curved transducer as well.