Amaurosis Fugax Due to Radiation-induced Carotid Stenosis Treated by Carotid Artery Stenting

Abstract

59-year-old male had four episodes of transient, painless vision loss in right eye in the last 20 days which had resolved spontaneously. Three years ago, patient had been diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which had been treated with six cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. MRI brain angiogram showed diffuse long segment wall thickening of Right Internal Carotid Artery with luminal narrowing with no acute infarct or haemorrhage; which was later confirmed by four vessel DSA. He was treated with Right Carotid Artery angioplasty with a cutting balloon while using a distal protection device, followed up by stenting. The patient recovered well on follow-up and there were no further episodes. Thus, amaurosis fugax may be a presentation of carotid artery stenosis, especially after radiotherapy and such patients can be treated by carotid angioplasty and stenting.