Advantages of Staged Angioplasty in a Patient with Internal Carotid Artery Pseudo-Occlusion Besides Prevention of Cerebral Hyperperfusion Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Staged angioplasty for carotid artery stenosis has been reported to be effective in preventing postoperative cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) in patients with severe carotid stenosis; thus, it is also recommended for patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudo-occlusion, the treatment strategy for which is controversial. CASE DESCRIPTION: This study reports the case of an Asian man in his 50s who had motor aphasia and right-side weakness caused by pseudo-occlusion of the left ICA. After medical treatment, he underwent a staged angioplasty. After the first stage of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, anterograde blood flow to the left ICA increased but the distal ICA remained partially collapsed. Initially, the second stage of carotid artery stenting (CAS) was planned for 2 weeks after the first stage; however, hemorrhagic infarction was observed the day before the CAS, and it was postponed by 2 weeks, after adjustment of antiplatelet therapy. At the time of the CAS, the diameter of the initially collapsed left distal ICA was remodeled and it was fully dilated; thus, we used a balloon-type embolic protection device and conducted CAS successfully without apparent embolic complications. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient did not develop CHS. CONCLUSIONS: Besides preventing CHS, staged angioplasty has advantages when used for treating patients with ICA pseudo-occlusions in that the extent of dilation of the distal ICA after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty can be confirmed and the development of a possible hemorrhagic infarction can be assessed before stent placement.