Thrombosis of the Internal Carotid Artery Due to Blunt Trauma

Thrombosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA) due to blunt trauma is more common than generally appreciated. Mortality is high (about 50%) and so is the morbidity in those that survive. Because of the varied clinical picture and the frequent lucid interval, a definitive diagnosis is often made too late for curative intervention. Our experience with a successfully treated case provided the stimulus for a review of the subject.