The spontaneous recanalization of the internal carotid artery

The occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) frequently leads to stroke and develops most commonly as a consequence of embolism or atherosclerotic thrombosis. Following acute care, if the patient's general condition makes it possible, the patient is usually emitted from the hospital or, if necessary, his treatment continues in the rehabilitation department. The occlusion is generally considered irreversible, but a regular duplex ultrasonographic (sometimes CT angiographic) check of the patient is required. According to recent literature, spontaneous recanalization of the ICA may occur occasionally. The authors demonstrated by evaluating a local case that ICA occlusion is not necessarily permanent: through a case of a 67-year-old man, who suffered a right ICA occlusion, subsequent ichaemic stroke, then spontaneous recanalization of the occlusion allowing a successful endarterectomy later on, they overview the literature and propose appropriate prospective examinations to track patents with similar conditions.