SPONTANEOUS RECANALIZATION OF THE TOTALLY OCCLUDED INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY UNDER HEPARINIZATION - A NEGLECTED PHENOMENON - 2 CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

This report presents two cases of totally occluded internal carotid ar teries, verified by angiography. In both cases the vessel was recanali sed under heparinisation. This was first detected by duplex carotid so nography. Angiographic follow-up showed a high-grade stenosis at the o rigin of the internal carotid artery. Both female patients were then o perated successfully. It is important to consider the possibility of s pontaneous recanalisation of an occluded internal carotid artery becau se there are clear indications for operative treatment in such a case. In case of total occlusion, as a rule no operative treatment is possi ble.