Atypical Carotid Webs: An Elusive Etiology of Ischemic Stroke.

Objective: Typical carotid webs are nonatherosclerotic shelf-like projections of fibromyxoid tissue extending from the posterior wall of the proximal internal carotid artery. Carotid webs may precipitate acute embolic stroke, especially in younger patients. We describe our experience with pathology-proven carotid webs of atypical appearance, or atypical carotid webs (ACWs), a subset of carotid webs exhibiting abnormal location, morphology, or association with atherosclerotic changes.