Introduction/Patient Description
Extracranial carotid duplex ultrasonography (DUS) was requested within 2 weeks after sudden
onset of unilateral, evolving, neck pain. Signs and symptoms related to a 53 year-old man
included local swelling, skin changes, increased, local sensations, and high sensitivity to
palpation. Atherosclerotic risk factors were not noted. He had contralateral radiation therapy,
neck and face, and a DUS within normal limits one year earlier. Medication treatment lasted 2
weeks, and resolved the patient’s complains. Magnetic resonance including angiography
complemented DUS. Literature information was conferred to solidify the diagnostic likelihood.
Methods
Method. Standard carotid arterial DUS was performed, then repeated 4 months post treatment.
Potential differential diagnoses were acute dissection, Takayassus’ arteritis, giant cell arteritis,
vasculitis, jugular vein thrombosis, lymphadenitis, submandibular gland disorder, tumors.
Results
DUS B-mode documented extensive, hypoechogenic, homogeneous plaquing, or tissue,
engulfing the arterial wall at the common carotid bifurcation, and expanding into the proximal
internal carotid artery. Peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities (PSV/EDV) at the internal carotid narrowing, 288/129 cm/s, were consistent with a 74%, local stenosis measured in a transverse plane. Plaque width, estimated at almost 6 mm, was related to a 2 mm luminal diameter.
Treatment reduced stenosis to 51%, associated to a 3 mm luminal diameter and 3 mm plaque
extension approximately. PSV/EDV decreased to 132/62 cm/s. Note: Two other male patients, 38
and 45 years-old, had common carotid and bifurcation arterial wall thickening, hypoechoichomogeneous
B-mode imaging without significant stenosis, and complementary findings by
computed tomography; similar, local, neck signs and symptoms were relieved two weeks post
treatment.
Conslusion/Discussion
Transient Perivascular Inflammation of the Carotid Artery (TIPIC) was the diagnosis, once the
term carotidynia has been questioned. Tissue image characterization and intra-tissue contrast
Doppler studies may provide needed, extra knowledge about TIPIC causes and effects.