Endovascular treatment in patients with acute ischemic stroke and apparent occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery on CTA.

Background: Intra-arterial treatment is gaining importance in acute ischemic stroke, but its role in patients with apparent occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) on computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is inconclusive.

Objective: To review retrospectively the results of intra-arterial treatment in patients with stroke and apparent extracranial ICA occlusion.

Methods: In more than 3000 patients with stroke admitted to our institution during 2008-2013, and the subgroup with suboptimal results after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), CTA showed the absence of contrast in the extracranial ICA in 16 patients.