Stroke in sickle cell disease in association with bilateral absence of the internal carotid arteries. Case report

Abstract Background Congenital absence of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a highly infrequent congenital incidence and occurs in less than 0.01% of the population; bilateral absence is exceedingly rare, diagnosed below 10% of the unilateral absence of the ICA. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a ser...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ivana Markovic, Zoran Milenkovic, Bosanka Jocic-Jakubi, Amna Al Futaisi, Kakaria Anupam Kakaria, Yasser Walli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-05-01
Series:BMC Neurology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-022-02702-5
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Congenital absence of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a highly infrequent congenital incidence and occurs in less than 0.01% of the population; bilateral absence is exceedingly rare, diagnosed below 10% of the unilateral absence of the ICA. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious disorder and carries a high risk of stroke. Case presentation We present a five-year-old child with SCD who experienced an ischemic stroke episode with epileptic seizures. Neuroimaging revealed the agenesis of both ICAs. The frequency, embryology, and collateral pathway of the vascular anomaly as the clinical presentation, of this rare hematologic disease, are discussed. Conclusions Sickle cell disease (SCD) carries a high risk of stroke. Congenital absence of ICA occurs in less than 0.01% of the population; bilateral absence is diagnosed below 10% of the unilateral absence of the ICA.
ISSN:1471-2377