Carotid pseudo-occlusion

Carotid pseudo-occlusion refers to apparent occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery on CT angiography or digital subtraction angiography due to a stagnant column of unopacified blood proximal to terminal T-junction occlusion by thromboembolism .

It is important not to mistake this for true occlusion, carotid dissection or a tandem lesion.

Terminology

The term carotid pseudo-occlusion has also been used to describe carotid near-occlusion when the internal carotid artery distal to high-grade stenosis at its origin is underfilled.