Advanced

AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Martin, M. A. Articles by Marotta, T. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Martin, M. A. Articles by Marotta, T. R.

American Journal of Neuroradiology 20:259-262 (2 1999)
© 1999 American Society of Neuroradiology

ARTICLE

Vasa Vasorum: Another Cause of the Carotid String Sign

Monty A. Martin^a and Tom R. Marotta^,a

^a From the Department of Neuroradiology, Vancouver General Hospital, 855 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1M9.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our purpose was to describe a variant of the carotid string sign that may be associated with a completely occluded vessel and to consider possible pathophysiological mechanisms for this observation.

METHODS: Carotid angiography was performed in three patients with suspected carotid stenosis and in a fourth with carotid dissection. Surgery was performed in one of the patients with carotid stenosis.

RESULTS: On all angiograms, instead of a single linear or curvilinear contrast "string," either single or multiple serpiginous channels were seen. In one case, such a channel was seen emanating from below the origin of an occluded internal carotid stump, reconstituting the distal portion of the vessel. Surgery revealed a completely occluded lumen with a small intramural vessel bypassing the obstruction.

CONCLUSION: We propose that these channels are either atherosclerotically induced neovessels connecting bridging vasa vasorum or recanalized luminal thrombus. We review the literature associated with this subject.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. S. Kriegshauser, M. D. Patel, and K. D. Nelson Carotid Pseudostring Sign From Vasa Vasorum Collaterals J. Ultrasound Med., September 1, 2003; 22(9): 959 - 963. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. H. Lev, J. M. Romero, D. N.F. Goodman, R. Bagga, H. Y. K. Kim, N. A. Clerk, R. H. Ackerman, and R. G. Gonzalez Total Occlusion versus Hairline Residual Lumen of the Internal Carotid Arteries: Accuracy of Single Section Helical CT Angiography AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., June 1, 2003; 24(6): 1123 - 1129. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]