Intracranial large artery embolism due to carotid thrombosis caused by a neck massager: A case report

Figure 1 Image of an intracranial major artery embolism due to carotid artery thrombosis caused by a neck massager. A: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed occlusion of the M3 segment of the right middle cerebral artery; B: Magnetic resonance imaging performed 24 h after hospitalization revealed multiple acute infarcts in the cortex of the right cerebral hemisphere; C and D: CTA showed thrombus formation in the distal segment of the right and left sides of the common carotid arteries.

Figure 2 Carotid ultrasound and high-resolution enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of an intracranial major artery embolism due to carotid artery thrombosis caused by a neck massager. A and B: Carotid ultrasound revealed that the right extent was approximately 12.8 mm × 3.8 mm, and the left extent was approximately 14.8 mm × 4.3 mm. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that the thrombus was reduced on the fourth day, with no enhancement; C and D: The right extent was approximately 6.5 mm × 2.1 mm, and the left extent was approximately 6.4 mm × 2.4 mm; E: High-resolution enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the neck vessels suggested a filling defect in the right common carotid arterie.

Figure 3 B-ultrasound of carotid thrombus changes after treatment. A and B: On the eighth day, carotid ultrasound showed that the thrombus was further reduced, with an extent of approximately 6.5 mm × 2.4 mm on the right and 5.3 mm × 2.1 mm on the left; C and D: Carotid ultrasound examination performed on the 14^th day revealed both right and left side common carotid arteries without thrombosis.

Figure 4 Structure of the neck massager used by the patient.