TOPOGRAPHIC PATTERN OF ADVANCED ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS IN CAROTID ARTERIES

Ulcers in extracranial carotid arteries are a known source of cerebral embolism. However, there are no data available on the prevalence of u lcerations located at the origin of these vessels in the aortic arch. Therefore, in this pathological study the topographic distribution of ulcerated lesions were determined in these arteries. One hundred and o ne consecutively autopsied patients composed the study group. Ulcerate d plaques were sought for in both carotid arteries, from their origin in the arch up to the carotid canal, and also in the aortic arch and a scending aorta. The two anatomical sites mostly affected by atheroscle rosis were the region of the carotid sinus and the orifices of cervica l arteries in the aortic arch. More than one third of all ulcers were at the orifices of cervical arteries in the arch. Interestingly, ulcer s at the orifice of the left common carotid artery in the arch were ac companied with other ulcers located elsewhere in the remaining segment s of the left carotid system. whereas ulcerations at the orifice of br achiocephalic trunk were not accompanied with other concomitant lesion s in the right carotid system. Furthermore, there was no symmetric dis tribution of ulcerated plaques in both carotid systems.