Frequency and extent of media in the internal carotid artery in "endarterectomy" specimens.
Carotid endarterectomy has been performed now for approximately 50 years. No report, however, has described the presence of media in these "endarterectomy" specimens. From January 1997 through May 2003, 147 carotid endarterectomy specimens were examined histologically. Portions of arterial media were present in each of them. The maximal amount of circumferential media in any patient varied from>95% of the cross-sectional circumference in 55 patients (37%) to<or=25% of the circumferences in 4 patients (3%). In 116 patients (79%), >75% of the arterial circumference of the internal carotid artery contained media. The proper term for this operative procedure might better be "endomediaectomy" rather than "endarterectomy."
Roberts
William Clifford
WC
Department of Pathology, Baylor Heart & Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. wc.roberts@baylorhealth.edu
Laborde
Nolan Joseph
NJ
Pearl
Gregory John
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013781:Texas; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*