Familial Form of Carotid Web: a Doppler Ultrasound Study

Carotid web are rare, focal dysplasia of the internal carotid artery and a high risk causes of stroke in young adult. Natural history of these dysplasia remains poorly understood. High prevalence of carotid web among Afro-Caribbean population and the similarity between carotid web and fibromuscular dysplasia, suggest existence of genetic factors. But there has been to our knowledge no familial form of carotid web reported. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of carotid web among relatives of patients with carotid web using carotid duplex doppler ultrasound.

Researchers aim to test whether carotid web could be detected in relatives of patients with known carotid web, using duplex doppler ultrasound.

This is a pilot, transversal, single-center study performed at Toulouse University Hospital, France. From 30 carotid web cases aged under 65 (patients with previously known Carotid web, symptomatic or not) followed in neurology department, investigators aim to include 60 first-degree relatives younger than 65 years old. Included relatives will underwent carotid duplex doppler ultrasound to detect carotid web. The primary outcome is the prevalence of carotid web among relatives. Secondary outcomes include : Number of families with at least one relative who has been diagnosed with carotid web, number of relatives who has been diagnosed with carotid web per family, clinical characteristics of patients and morphological characteristics of carotid web.

Inclusion criteria

Carotid Web index patients:

• Patients with carotid web confirmed by CT angiogram (CTA) of cervical arteries or digital substraction angiogram (DSA).
• At least one first degree relative aged younger than 65 years old.

Relatives patients :

• First degree relatives of patient with diagnosed carotid web.

Exclusion criteria

• Persons placed under judicial protection or under another protection status
• Pregnant or breastfeeding woman.