Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissection
Understanding Cervical Artery Dissection
Cervical artery dissection happens when there’s a tear in one or more layers of blood vessel tissue. Cervical artery dissection is a common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults.
Your cervical arteries are a group of large blood vessels in your neck. They include the carotid arteries (which supply the front part of your brain) and vertebral arteries (which supply the back of your brain and your spine).
Causes
The most common cause of cervical artery dissection is trauma to the head or neck, often resulting from incidents like car accidents or similar injuries. In some cases, non-traumatic dissections can occur, typically due to strenuous activities or heavy lifting.
Connective Tissue Disorders
Certain genetic conditions that affect connective tissue throughout the body can increase the risk of cervical artery dissection. These conditions include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromuscular dysplasia, Marfan syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Neck Trauma
Neck injuries, such as whiplash from motor vehicle accidents, prolonged periods in extreme head positions (such as painting a ceiling), rapid head movements (such as rollercoaster rides or chiropractic neck manipulation), and weightlifting or carrying heavy objects, can lead to cervical artery dissection.
Recent Illnesses
Illnesses that involve straining, like frequent vomiting due to gastrointestinal upset or persistent coughing from upper respiratory infections, can contribute to cervical artery dissection.
Other Risk Factors
Several additional factors increase the risk of cervical artery dissection, including atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and smoking.
Symptoms
Many individuals experience symptoms leading up to a cervical artery dissection diagnosis, often occurring within a month before diagnosis. There are three primary types of symptoms:
1. Head or Neck Pain:
Sudden and severe head or neck pain, particularly behind one eye or on one side of the head or neck. This pain is often intense and resembles cluster headaches, migraines, or thunderclap headaches.
2. Horner’s Syndrome:
This condition affects the involuntary functions of the eyes and face, leading to symptoms such as drooping eyelids, a smaller pupil in one eye, and reduced sweating. Horner’s syndrome typically affects only one side of the head.
3. Stroke-Like Symptoms:
These symptoms arise when a part of the brain receives insufficient blood flow. They include ataxia, balance problems, blurred vision, dizziness, double vision (diplopia), limb weakness, speech difficulties (dysarthria or aphasia), and vertigo.
If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly sudden and severe head or neck pain, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention, as cervical artery dissection can be life-threatening and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis
Computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are good methods for detecting a dissection. These techniques take specific pictures of your blood vessels.
Treatment
Dissections often heal on their own. Medical therapies can lower your risk of blood clots that can lead to stroke.
You may need:
- Antiplatelet therapy, which includes drugs such as aspirin and clopidogrel that prevent blood cells from clumping together.
- Anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), such as heparin infusion or warfarin tablets.
Contact Us For An Appointment
The care team at North Carolina Neuroscience & Spine Center can help you decide on the treatment that's best for you. They specialize in minimally invasive surgery and are experienced in diagnosing and treating disorders and diseases, using the newest techniques for relieving pain and returning you to an active lifestyle. To make an appointment at North Carolina Neuroscience & Spine Center call 919-784-7550.
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