The cerebral vessels are the channels that supply blood to the brain tissue and consist mainly of the right and left internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. Cerebral artery stenosis is the most common factor of cerebral infarction and the main cause of recurrence of cerebral infarction.
The main danger of cerebral artery stenosis is to cause insufficient blood supply to brain tissues and blockage of cerebral vessels by detachment of stenotic plaques. Its early manifestations include: transient unilateral limb weakness, partial body numbness, slurred speech, blackness in one eye, aphasia; dizziness, visual rotation, nausea and vomiting, double vision, falling, loss of transient memory, facial numbness, etc. The more recurrent the symptoms are, the more often they recur and the longer they last, the greater the chance of developing cerebral infarction. The symptoms are often related to the change of position, such as from lying to sitting, stirrups to standing, head low to head high, turning over and turning the head, etc. Shi Jin, Department of Neurology, Air Force General Hospital
Cerebral artery stenosis can be examined by carotid ultrasound, TCD, CT, and MRI, while cerebral angiography (DSA) is the final and “gold standard” for the diagnosis of cerebral artery stenosis.
Prevention of cerebral artery stenosis includes treatment of hypertension, diabetes, hypertensive lipids, cessation of smoking and alcohol, control of high-salt and high-fat diet, and appropriate physical activity, but age and genetic factors should not be ignored.
Treatment is needed when cerebral stenosis reaches 70% or more, or when stenosis reaches 50% of that cerebral vessel has a cerebral ischemic event.
Endovascular stenting is the most effective method. It involves placing a stent at the site of stenosis and opening it to support the inner wall of the stenosed vessel, blocking the intravascular plaque outside the stent and thus expanding the diameter of the vessel to release the stenosis. It has the advantages of less trauma, less pain, and shorter hospital stay.