Microcatheter navigation and thrombolysis in acute symptomatic cervical internal carotid occlusion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The treatment of acute stroke distal to an occluded cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) presents a challenge. We report our results of endovascular therapy in 7 patients presenting with acute symptomatic cervical ICA occlusion. PATIENTS AND TECHNIQUES: Among patients presenting with acute stroke at our institution from June 2001 to June 2005, we retrospectively identified 7 patients who underwent endovascular therapy …