Collateral Cerebral Circulation through the Ophthalmic Artery and its Efficiency in Internal Carotid Occlusion

Abstract

Three cases of ophthalmic collateral circulation angiographically demonstrated are reported. In two a homolateral carotid thrombosis was present. In the remaining case thrombosis was bilateral. In particular the authors discuss the validity, for a functional recovery, of the formation of such a compensatory circulation and the prognostic value of its angiographic demonstration. The authors believe that the radiological visualisation of any compensatory circle is not in itself an element of optimism especially if it involves vessels of fine calibre, but must be considered prognostically together with the clinical, bioelectrical and pneumoencephalographic data.