Imaging studies of cerebral hyperperfusion after carotid endarterectomy. Case report

J Neurosurg. 1995 Jul;83(1):133-7. doi: 10.3171/jns.1995.83.1.0133.

Abstract

A case is reported of severe unilateral hemispheric edema and localized hemorrhage associated with seizures following endarterectomy of an ipsilateral high-grade carotid stenosis. Imaging studies including angiography, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging/angiography, and xenon-CT, suggested postoperative ipsilateral cerebral hyperperfusion. Cerebral hyperperfusion syndromes caused by a probable failure of vascular autoregulation are rare but potentially serious complications after endarterectomy. The literature on this type of complication is briefly reviewed, and the role of various imaging modalities in identification of the syndrome and in guiding management decisions is emphasized.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / blood supply*
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Edema / diagnosis
  • Brain Edema / etiology*
  • Carotid Artery, Common
  • Carotid Stenosis / therapy
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Endarterectomy, Carotid / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Middle Aged
  • Seizures / diagnosis
  • Seizures / etiology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed