This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Clinical features

Authoring team

Typically, progressive obliteration of the lumen of the internal carotid artery by atheroma and thrombus produces the picture of a 'stuttering' stroke characterised by:

  • progressing contralateral hemiparesis and hemisensory disturbance
  • transient ipsilateral visual impairment due to retinal ischaemia
  • unilateral frontal headache

In more extreme cases, there is additionally:

  • deterioration of consciousness
  • homonymous hemianopia of the contralateral side
  • partial Horner's syndrome on the ipsilateral side
  • global aphasia if the dominant hemisphere is affected

On examination:

  • bruit at the angle of the jaw
  • facial and scalp pulses more prominent on the affected side; become impalpable if total occlusion develops

Reference

  1. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Stroke and transient ischaemic attack in over 16s: diagnosis and initial management. April 2022 [internet publication].

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.