This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages without signing in

Clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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

Create an account to add page annotations

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.