[Incidence, clinical picture, treatment and sequelae of the stenotic-occlusive process in the carotid artery. I. Incidence, clinical picture and diagnosis of the stenotic-occlusive process in the carotid artery].

Patients with stenotic-occlusive process in the extracranial part of the carotid artery have been examined by the authors in the period of 15 years. The frequency of stenotic-occlusive process of the carotid artery in the neck segment, if compared to other cerebrovascular diseases, amounts to 4%. In the majority of cases this process is encountered in patients of male sex, the greatest number of patients being between 51 and 60 years old. According to clinical features, 49% of the patients suffered a complete stroke. First among the risk factors are hypertension and smoking. Previous symptoms of focal brain genesis are shown in most cases by the anamnesis and most frequently focal manifestations are also found as a result of objective neurological check-ups. The physical check-up of the carotid artery in the neck must not be neglected. In the diagnostics of the disease a stenotic process of the carotid artery is shown by non-invasive examinations, Doppler sonography in 97% and ophthalmodinamometry in 76% of cases.