Mobile carotid artery thrombus

Abstract

Mobile carotid artery thrombus is an uncommon entity that usually presents as a neurological emergency. The natural history and optimal treatment are unknown. We present here the case of a 26-year-old male patient with acute right MCA territory infarction. Carotid ultrasound (CU) demonstrated a mobile thrombus in the right internal carotid artery. He was treated with anticoagulation and delayed surgical intervention complicated in the postoperative period with carotid occlusion. Control carotid ultrasound examination after one year revealed partial recanalization of the occluded arteries. This case underlines the importance of performing ultrasound in the early, hyperacute phase of stroke.

Keywords

• mobile carotid thrombus
• free-fl oating thrombus
• carotid ultrasound
• carotid occlusion
• carotid recanalization