Jaw claudication as a result of carotid artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Jaw claudication is mostly described as a symptom of giant cell arteritis. However it can also occur in presence of severe bilateral external carotid artery stenosis.


METHODS
An 87-year-old man with extensive cardiovascular history presented with disabling bilateral jaw claudication. Duplex Scan and MR-Angiography showed severe bilateral ostial external carotid artery stenosis. After unilateral carotid endarterectomy, the symptoms disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral jaw claudication as a symptom of carotid atherosclerosis is a rare condition. It can be treated by unilateral carotid endarterectomy.
Janssens
M A P
MA
Department of Vascular Surgery, ZNA-Jan Palfijn, Antwerp, Belgium. marc.janssens@emdsite.net
Van Thielen
Th H J
TH
Van Veer
H G L
HG
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male