Abstract
Between August 1996 and December 2001, 81 consecutive patients with 89 carotid stenosis were admitted to our hospital. We evaluated the cross point of carotid stenosis and occipital artery on the carotid angiography. In patients with high cervical ICA stenosis, nasal intubation was performed and the occipital artery and/or ansa cervicalis were cut. In 14 patients, the hypoglossal nerve was dissected freely above the internal carotid artery. In 1 patient whose carotid stenosis extended over the occipital artery, stent placement was performed. Another 72 patients underwent CEA without cutting the occipital artery or ansa cervicalis. The anatomical relationship between the occipital artery and ICA stenosis is a useful landmark whether CEA can be performed easily or not.
