A 55-year-old Chinese man who smoked two packs of cigarettes daily required emergency surgery after doctors discovered severe carotid artery narrowing.
The procedure resulted in the removal of a four-centimetre hardened plaque that resembled a chicken claw.
Blackout Episodes Lead to Shocking Discovery
The man, surnamed Liu (name transliterated from Mandarin), experienced frequent episodes of sudden vision loss over two months. His right eye would suddenly go dark and his vision would blur for around ten seconds at a time.
Medical examination revealed the true extent of his condition. A carotid ultrasound revealed that his right internal carotid artery was more than 90% narrowed. This qualified as severe arterial stenosis.
Doctors scheduled an emergency carotid endarterectomy, a two-hour procedure that successfully removed the problematic plaque from his artery.
Unusual Shape Reflects Location of Blockage
The extracted plaque measured four centimetres in length. Its “chicken claw” shape resulted from its position at the junction where the common carotid, internal carotid, and external carotid arteries meet.
This positioning created the distinctive branched shape that doctors likened to a poultry foot.
Medical Warning About Carotid Artery Health
The carotid arteries serve as the brain’s main blood supply channels. Over time, atherosclerotic plaque can form on their walls, gradually narrowing these vital passages.
This process restricts normal blood flow to the brain and causes cerebral ischemia.
Symptoms vary between patients but commonly include blurred vision, dizziness, and sudden limb weakness. These warning signs indicate compromised brain blood supply.
Medical professionals recommend regular vascular health screenings for people over 40. Carotid ultrasound should become part of routine medical checkups.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits like smoking cessation, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise prevents arterial deterioration.
Doctors emphasize that carotid artery narrowing can be improved or even reversed. Early screening, proper treatment, and healthy lifestyle management help keep blood vessels clear.
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
