Carotid artery stenosis

Question 1

What are the risk factors

Answer 1

Those of atherosclerosis and arterial disease:
Male
Smoking
HTN
Poor diet
Reduced physical activity
Raised cholesterol

Question 2

Explain how the different severities are categorised

Answer 2

Mild - <50% reduction in diameter
Moderate - 50-69% reduction
Severe - >70% reduction

Question 3

what features?

Answer 3

asymptomatic
usually diagnosed after TIA or stroke
Carotid bruit

Question 4

What investigations are used to diagnose

Answer 4

Carotid USS

Question 5

What does conservative management involve

Answer 5

Healthy diet
Stop smoking
Management of comorbidities
Antiplatelets
Statin

Question 6

What are surgical options

Answer 6

Carotid endarterectomy - opening carotid artery and scraping out the plaque
Angioplasty and stenting

Question 7

What are complications of endarterectomy

Answer 7

Stroke
Nerve injury

Question 8

What symptom would you get with damaged facial nerve

Answer 8

facial weakness

Question 9

What symptom would you get with damaged glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer 9

swallowing difficulties

Question 10

What symptom would you get with damaged recurrent laryngeal nerve

Answer 10

Hoarse voice

Question 11

What symptom would you get with damaged hypoglossal nerve

Answer 11

Unilateral tongue paralysis