Angiographic characteristics of radiation-induced carotid arterial stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to clarify the angiographic characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis.


METHODS
We evaluated 11 carotid arteries of patients after radiotherapy (radiotherapy group) and 26 carotid arteries of age- and gender-matched patients without a history of radiotherapy (control group). All patients had carotid stenosis detected by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We developed an original coordinate system on the DSA to determine the accurate length and location of the carotid lesion.


RESULTS
Radiation-induced carotid lesions were significantly longer than carotid lesions caused by atherosclerosis. The maximal stenosis of radiation-induced carotid lesions tended to be at the end of the stenotic area and within a wider range than the nonradiation-induced lesions, including in the proximal common carotid artery (CCA).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation-induced stenotic lesions seem to exist in a wide range of carotid artery, including the CCA, along the vessel, and show maximal stenosis near the end of the stenotic area.
Shichita
Takashi
T
Department of Cerebrovascular Diseasey, Cerebrovascular Center and Clinical Research Institute, Kyushu Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, Japan. shichita@bioreg.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Ogata
Toshiyasu
T
Yasaka
Masahiro
M
Yasumori
Kotaro
K
Inoue
Tooru
T
Ibayashi
Setsuro
S
Iida
Mitsuo
M
Okada
Yasushi
Y
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000528:radiation effects; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging