[Post-radiotherapy and atherosclerotic stenosis of the internal carotid artery treated by angioplasty and stenting].

We report the case of a 70-year old man treated by surgery and radiotherapy for a neoplasic lesion of the tongue in whom severe symptomatic stenosis of the left internal carotid artery occurred a few years later. This lesion was successfully treated by percutaneous carotid angioplasty and stenting with distal embolic protection (PCAS). After a period of experimenting with angioplasty and stenting, PCAS is becoming a serious alternative for carotid thrombo-endarterectomy (TEA). Indications for PCAS are currently patients who, due to several reasons, are no good candidates for surgery. Several of large PCAS versus TEA randomized trials are underway and final results will help us determine the best indication for TEA or PCAS for both low and high risk patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis.