What Is a Carotid Artery?
The carotid arteries are blood vessels that supply blood to your brain, face, and neck.
Symptoms of Carotidynia
Some people feel absolutely fine when an episode of carotidynia strikes.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
There may also be swelling or fullness above the carotid artery.
People who have had carotidynia don’t usually experience it again.
Causes of Carotidynia
The cause of carotidynia is unknown.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
It is also rare, affecting less than 3% of people with acute neck pain.
With that said, much of the current evidence suggests thatinflammationplays a central role in carotidynia.
If inflammation were to occur, the swelling of these hardened tissues could very well cause pain.
Females are also more affected than males, possibly because their internal carotid artery is far smaller in size.
More research on this is needed.
Diagnosis of Carotidynia
There are no tests or procedures able to diagnose carotidynia.
The diagnosis is made after all other causes have been ruled out.
Medical professionals sometimes call this a “diagnosis of exclusion.
“Undergoing these tests is important as they can ensure that other, more serious conditions are not involved.
People usually recover completely without any long-term problems.
Drugs calledcalcium channel blockersused to reduce high blood pressure have also proven beneficial in people with longer-lasting episodes.
These medications should not be taken for a long time due to the high risk ofside effects.
When carotidynia occurs in people with migraines, standardmigraine treatmentscan help.
Carotidynia Prognosis
Fortunately, carotidynia usually resolves on its own.
There is no specific treatment, but symptoms can be managed with medication until they improve.
Summary
Carotidynia is a rare pain syndrome involving the carotid artery.
Its cause isn’t known.
People with the condition have sudden pain on one side of the neck.
The pain occurs over the carotid artery, but can also radiate to the face.
The diagnosis is made after ruling out other conditions.
A physical exam, imaging tests, and blood tests can help a healthcare provider reach a diagnosis.
Carotidynia usually starts to improve within a week.
There is no standard treatment for the syndrome, but symptoms can be managed with medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 is known to cause vascular inflammation, which studies suggest can trigger carotidynia.
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Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine.Giant cell arteritis.
doi:10.7861/clinmed.2021-0349
American Association of Neurological Surgeons.Neck pain.
National Library of Medicine.Carotidynia.
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