Pathophysiology
- Aetiology
- Atherosclerosis
- Dissection
- Trauma
- Previous carotid surgery
Approach
- Expose neck
- Proceed as for neck examination
- Inspect
- Pulsatile swelling noted in line of carotid artery at base of neck
- Normally unilateral
- Palpate
- Firm
- Expansile
- Percuss
- Auscultate
- Usually a bruit is heard
Completion
- Look for neurological associations (ipsilateral horner's syndrome; focal neurological signs)
- Examine for cardiovascular associations (BP, peripheral pulses, heart)
Investigations
- Duplex scan
- Digital subtraction angiography