OBJECTIVE: To describe a child with internal carotid artery thrombosis secondary to trauma of the soft palate. CASE DESCRIPTION: Child presented with altered level of consciousness, drowsiness, aphasia, right hemiplegia, and a history of trauma, with mild concussion of the soft palate eight hours prior to admission. CT scan showed ischemic stroke secondary to interruption of blood flow in the area of the left middle cerebral artery. Arteriography showed occlusion of the carotid artery just distal to its origin, with radiological appearance of "pencil tip", obstructing blood flow in the region. Patient underwent investigation for pro-thrombotic and heart diseases, which was negative. The child received enoxaparin at therapeutic dose for three weeks, showing progressive clinical improvement. After three weeks, the patient did not show motor problems. COMMENTS: Intraoral lesions are common in children, but most of them evolve without complications. However, the internal carotid artery thrombosis is a rare but well documented complication of these lesions and results from the vessel compression with localized thrombogenesis. The mortality rate is about 30%, and sequels are seen in 85% of cases.
stroke; brain ischemia; carotid artery thrombosis; soft palate trauma; child
