An unusual cause of transient neurologic deficits: compression of the carotid artery by a thyroid cystic nodule.
We report a case of a 93-year-old man, who presented with limb-shaking transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) after orthostatic position change or turning his head to the left. The limb-shaking TIAs resulted from external compression of the carotid artery. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the head and neck and Doppler ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland revealed a large cystic nodule in the right thyroid lobe, resulting in compression and posterior displacement of the right common carotid artery. Clinicians should be aware that limb-shaking TIAs can not only result from obstructive extracerebral or intracerebral artery disease, but also from external compression of the carotid artery.
Braakman
Hilde M H
HM
Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Sittard, the Netherlands. h.braakman@mumc.nl
Knippenberg
Stephanie A M
SA
de Bondt
Bert-Jan
BJ
Lodder
Jan
J
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003287:Contrast Media; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014202:Tremor / Q000209:etiology*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
D003287:Contrast Media