Diagnosis of non-atherosclerotic carotid disease

SummaryNon-atherosclerotic carotid disease in an uncommon group of angiographic defects. It includes the entities: Takayasu's arteritis, giant cell arteritis, fibromuscular disease, moyamoya syndrome, arterial dissection and extracranial carotid aneurysms. Due to advance in imaging techniques, they are being increasingly identified. Growing awareness of diverse clinical picture along with advances in imaging technologies enables early diagnosis. Although catheter angiography is a gold standard in diagnosing most of these diseases, neurosonological tests serve as an excellent screening tool, and are suitable for monitoring. Brain MR and MRA are sometimes essential for confirmation of the diagnosis. Mortality rates are low and functional outcome is generally good if the disease is diagnosed early.