[A case of central retinal artery occlusion followed by cerebral infarction due to internal carotid artery disease].

Reported is a 68-year-old male with left central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) followed by cerebral infarction due to left internal carotid artery disease. He was referred to our hospital diagnosed as having left CRAO. In view of severe stenosis of ipsilateral internal carotid artery by ultrasound duplex scan, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was indicated. While waiting for the operation, he suffered from monoparesis in his right lower limb despite the administration of antiplatelet agents. Brain MRI showed cerebral infarction in the left frontal cortex. It was suggested that artery-to-artery embolism from the lesion of the internal carotid artery might be the common mechanism of CRAO and cerebral infarction in this case. According to theses results, CEA should be considered in patients with severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery before it is too late.