Ricerc@Sapienza

Experimental studies showed that gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is pro-atherogenic, however, its relationship with human atherosclerosis is still to be defined. We investigate if gut-derived LPS from Escherichia Coli localizes in human carotid plaque and its potential role as pro-inflammatory molecule in the atherosclerotic lesion. LPS from Escherichia Coli and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were studied in specimens from carotid and thyroid arteries of 10 patients undergoing endarterectomy and 15 controls matched for demographic and clinical characteristics.

Atherosclerotic plaques concomitantly with the hyoid bone protrusion into the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rarely reported in the literature. These plaques can be considered as arising from the turbulent flow and the shear stress caused by the close contact between the hyoid bone and the arterial wall carotid artery. The carotid stenosis was greater than 70%. We report a patient with a transient ischemic attack and a right significant carotid artery stenosis presumably due to a compression of an elongated ICA by the hyoid bone.