Pathologic Findings of Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Several Decades after Radiation Therapy: A Case Report

Improved long-term survival of malignancy has drawn increased attention to late cerebrovascular toxicity after neck radiotherapy. Recently, neck radiotherapy has been found as a significant risk factor of carotid artery stenosis and ischemic stroke; however, long-term adverse effects of radiation in large arteries remain unknown. Here, we described an autopsied case with recurrent ischemic stroke associated with ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis several decades after neck radiation therapy. Pathologically, there were intima-media fibrosis, endothelial cell loss, and decreased expression of thrombomodulin in irradiated carotid artery stenosis.
Source: Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Case Studies Source Type: research