Cervicocerebral artery dissections

Abstract

Objective - To determine the aetiology, frequency, presentation, and outcome of blunt cervicocerebral arterial dissection presentations. Patients and methods - Cases were retrospectively identified through the stroke registers at Royal Melbourne Hospital (a tertiary teaching hospital) and Geelong Hospital (a regional referral centre). Medical notes were then reviewed. Results - A total of 18 cases were identified, with ages ranging from 28 to 53 years. Fifty five per cent of the injuries sustained were to the internal carotid artery and 45% to the vertebral artery. The majority of the injuries were either spontaneous or associated with trivial forces. Other causes included motor vehicle acci..