Transient idiopathic perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery syndrome (TIPIC syndrome) is a rare variant of non-atherosclerotic arteriopathy

Abstract

Syndrome of transient idiopathic perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery (TIPIC syndrome) refers to a benign variant of non-atherosclerotic arteriopathy. TIPIC is characterized by regression of symptoms and pathological changes without specific therapy. The main manifestation of carotidynia is ipsilateral neck pain, which, due to low awareness of this disease, is often mistakenly regarded as dissection or atherosclerosis of the carotid artery and leads to additional unjustified diagnosis and treatment. This article presents a clinical case of a patient with idiopathic carotidynia with a discussion of the diagnostic algorithm and management of patients with unilateral neck pain and suspected TIPIC syndrome.