Fibromuscular dysplasia of the internal carotid artery: a clinicopathological study.
Although angiographic changes of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) of the carotid artery are regularly noted, histologic confirmation is rare. We therefore reviewed all patients with a histologic diagnosis of FMD affecting the internal carotid artery who were seen at our institution over a 25-year-period. FMD of the internal carotid artery was a very rare autopsy finding and was detected in only 4 of 20,244 consecutive autopsies (0.02%). In an additional 6 patients FMD of the internal carotid artery was identified in a surgical specimen. All patients were female and their mean age was 53 years. Nine patients had the medial form of FMD and 1 the intimal form. By immunohistochemistry the lesions consist of proliferations of smooth muscle with a minor fibroblastic component. FMD was rarely limited to 1 carotid artery and multivessel involvement was present in 9 patients. In reference to this experience epidemiologic, pathologic, and etiologic features of FMD of the carotid arteries are discussed.
Schievink
W I
WI
Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Björnsson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005352:Fibromuscular Dysplasia / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies