Comparative evolution of carotidynia on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Carotidynia is rare and associates neck pain with tenderness to palpation usually over the carotid bifurcation, the diagnosis of which is based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasounds (US) are also frequently used but their accuracy in predicting the course of the disease is unknown. We are reporting the case of a 52-year-old man who presented a typical carotidynia. Clinical symptoms, ultrasound and MRI imaging evolution were closely correlated. Our case suggest that after a first MRI to set a positive diagnosis of carotidynia and exclude differential diagnoses, US which is more widely available and less expensive could constitute the imaging of reference for the follow-up.

Keywords: Carotidynia; Carotidynie; Follow-up; Imagerie par résonance magnétique; Magnetic resonance imaging; Suivi; Ultrasonography; Échographie.