NON-ATHEROSCLEROTIC CAROTID ARTERY DISEASE

The most frequent extracranial carotid artery disease is atherosclerotic stenosis. Other diseases are very rare. in this study, 6 pa­ tients with carotid artery disease other than atherosclerosis, diagnosed between 1990 and 1997 were evaluated and reported. Carotid body tumors were detected in 4 of these patients and bilateral carotid artery aneurysm in 1_. in 2 of patients w i th ca­ rotid body tumors, the mass was excised by peeling and artery was liberated. in other 2 patients with carotid body tumors, saphenous vein interposition was performed between common and internal carotid artery, and external carotid artery was li­ gated subsequent to tumor excision. in 1 patient with bilateral carotid artery aneurysm, resection and end to end ana stomo ­ sis for one side, and saphenous vein interposition subsequent to excision of aneurysm for other side were performed in 2 se­ quential operations within 1 month interval. No shunting was needed in any patient to whom continuous EEG monitorization was applied to observe brain activities.

n..ue was no mortality. As complications, reversible dysphagia in 3 pati ent s and both dysphagia and hoarseness in one pati­ ent were encountered.

Surgical therapy is stili the first choice for treatment of carotid body tumors and aneurysms that encountered very rarely, and has very low mortality and morbidity rates, today.