CAROTID STEAL - REPORT OF 10 CASES

The blood flow may be diverted from the external to the internal carot id artery via the carotid bulb in the absence of flow in the common ca rotid artery. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, hemodynamics, an d clinical features of this condition. Reviewing the records of color duplex ultrasonographic examinations, we found carotid steal in 12 car otid arteries of 10 patients. In three patients flow in the ipsilatera l external carotid artery was bidirectional. The steal had been demons trated angiographically in six patients. The cause of the phenomenon w as atherosclerosis, Takayasu arteritis, or trauma. Awareness of this p athway of collateral circulation may contribute to diagnostic work-up and expand management alternatives.