Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Carotidyniais a rare disorder of the carotid artery that causes pain in the face and neck area. Also known as Fay syndrome and TIPIC (transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery) syndrome, it has no known cause and is usually not serious.
Although carotidynia requires minimal treatment or none at all, it still needs to be checked out to ensure that the pain is not related to another more serious issue.
This article looks at the symptoms and causes of carotidynia and explains how this uncommon pain syndrome is diagnosed and treated.
What Is a Carotid Artery?The carotid arteries are blood vessels that supply blood to your brain, face, and neck. You have two on each side of your neck—the left and right common carotid arteries—which branch off around mid-neck into the external andinternal carotid arteries.
What Is a Carotid Artery?
The carotid arteries are blood vessels that supply blood to your brain, face, and neck. You have two on each side of your neck—the left and right common carotid arteries—which branch off around mid-neck into the external andinternal carotid arteries.
Symptoms of Carotidynia
Some people feel absolutely fine when an episode of carotidynia strikes. When that’s not the case, symptoms of carotidynia can include:
More specifically, the neck pain and tenderness is located at the junction where the carotid artery divides into two branches.
There may also be swelling or fullness above the carotid artery. The carotid pulse (the pulse in the neck) may also be pronounced.Typically, there are no additional symptoms beyond that.
People who have had carotidynia don’t usually experience it again.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Causes of Carotidynia
The cause of carotidynia is unknown. It is also rare, affecting less than 3% of people with acute neck pain.
The diagnosis of carotidynia is often considered controversial because it can be difficult to decide if the acute neck pain is purely vascular (related to blood vessels), muscular (related to muscles), neurogenic (related to nerves), or a combination of these.
Some studies suggest that the flow of blood from a larger vessel to two smaller ones places excessive stress on the junction, causing tissues to harden over time. If inflammation were to occur, the swelling of these hardened tissues could very well cause pain.
A Word From VerywellCarotidynia is a rare presentation of atypical neck and face pain, which is due to inflammation around the carotid artery. This condition falls under the umbrella of idiopathic neck pain syndromes, which adds complexity to its diagnosis and management.—SMITA PATEL, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Carotidynia is a rare presentation of atypical neck and face pain, which is due to inflammation around the carotid artery. This condition falls under the umbrella of idiopathic neck pain syndromes, which adds complexity to its diagnosis and management.—SMITA PATEL, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Carotidynia is a rare presentation of atypical neck and face pain, which is due to inflammation around the carotid artery. This condition falls under the umbrella of idiopathic neck pain syndromes, which adds complexity to its diagnosis and management.
—SMITA PATEL, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
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.
The diagnosis of carotidynia may involve:
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Other Diagnoses That May Be Considered
Among the many conditions that healthcare providers need to rule out in theirdifferential diagnosisof carotidynia are:
How Carotidynia Is Treated
There are no specific treatments for carotidynia. People usually recover completely without any long-term problems. The pain will usually begin to resolve within a week but can take up to 14 days in some people.
Over-the-counternonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)likeAleve (naproxen)and Advil (ibuprofen) can be helpful in relieving pain.
Drugs calledcalcium channel blockersused to reduce high blood pressure have also proven beneficial in people with longer-lasting episodes.
In some cases, oral steroid medications such as prednisone have been used when the underlying inflammation is persistent or extreme. 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 PrognosisFortunately, carotidynia usually resolves on its own. There is no specific treatment, but symptoms can be managed with medication until they improve.
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 QuestionsCOVID-19 is known to cause vascular inflammation, which studies suggest can trigger carotidynia.There are a few case studies of individuals believed to have had a stroke related to carotidynia, but more research is needed.
COVID-19 is known to cause vascular inflammation, which studies suggest can trigger carotidynia.
There are a few case studies of individuals believed to have had a stroke related to carotidynia, but more research is needed.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Comacchio F, Bottin R, Brescia G, et al.Carotidynia: new aspects of a controversial entity.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32(4):266-9.Lecler A, Obadia M, Savatovsky J, et al.TIPIC syndrome: beyond the myth of carotidynia, a new distinct unclassified entity.Am J Neuroradiol. 2017;38(7):1391-1398. doi:10.3174/ajnr.a5214Policha A, Williams D, Adelman M, Veith F, Cayne NS.Idiopathic carotidynia.Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2017;51(3):149-151. doi:10.1177/1538574417697212
Comacchio F, Bottin R, Brescia G, et al.Carotidynia: new aspects of a controversial entity.Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2012;32(4):266-9.
Lecler A, Obadia M, Savatovsky J, et al.TIPIC syndrome: beyond the myth of carotidynia, a new distinct unclassified entity.Am J Neuroradiol. 2017;38(7):1391-1398. doi:10.3174/ajnr.a5214
Policha A, Williams D, Adelman M, Veith F, Cayne NS.Idiopathic carotidynia.Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2017;51(3):149-151. doi:10.1177/1538574417697212
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