Transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery syndrome – A rare differential for anterior neck pain: Series of three cases and review of literature

Abstract

We report a series of 3 cases of transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery (TIPIC) syndrome in an otherwise healthy individual. We would also like to review this rare entity and compare it with other similar cases reported in the literature. Our first case was a young male with right-sided neck pain of 1-week duration with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing right carotid perivascular inflammation which completely resolved after 2 weeks with anti-inflammatory drugs. In the second case, a young male presented with left-sided neck pain and odynophagia of 5 days duration with an MRI showing left carotid perivascular inflammation which completely resolved after 2 weeks with anti-inflammatory drugs. In the third case a young male presented with right-sided neck pain of 1-day duration with an MRI showing right common carotid perivascular inflammation near the bifurcation with complete resolution in pain but with residual wall thickening. We want to highlight the existence of this new entity by reporting these 3 case series with a brief review of the literature. The cause and pathogenesis of this rare entity remain unknown. It has been hypothesized to be autoimmune or viral-mediated inflammation which requires further understanding.