Transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery—A transient but potentially recurrent disease

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery (TIPIC syndrome) is a rare, unclassified vascular syndrome that usually affects the distal part of the common carotid artery and has a favorable prognosis. The disease is often misdiagnosed even by neurologists due to the moderate intensity of clinical symptoms and their transient character. We present a case of a 52‐year‐old man who experienced two episodes of transient neck pain and moderate local tenderness one and a half years apart. Different imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, CT angiography, and high‐resolution 3T MR, were applied to better visualize the perivascular inflammation of the common carotid arteries. Based on the clinical‐radiological characteristics of our case and applying the diagnostic criteria, we established the diagnosis of TIPIC syndrome. The patient was treated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for few weeks, and reduction in perivascular changes was observed in both episodes. The case raises questions about the phases of the disease, its duration and the intervals between follow‐ups. Our article also increases the awareness of this rare clinical‐radiological entity and presents recent data from the literature.

Keywords

• carotidynia
• neck pain
• perivascular infiltration
• TIPIC syndrome