doiSerbia

A case series of 22 patients with internal carotid artery dissection

Divjak Ivana (Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad)
Slankamenac Petar (Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad)
Jovićević Mirjana (Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad)
Rabi-Žikić Tamara (Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad)
Lučić-Prokin Aleksandra (Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad)
Jovanović Aleksandar (Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Department of Neurology, Novi Sad)

The aim of this study was to analyze the spectrum of clinical presentations of internal carotid artery dissection. Twenty-two patients with internal carotid artery dissection, mean age 39.02, were evaluated over the past ten years. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography were used to establish the diagnosis. Facial and neck pain and Horner’s syndrome were the only presenting symptoms in 4 patients (without brain infarction); facial pain, Horner’s syndrome and contralateral sensorimotor deficit in 6; headache and contralateral sensorimotor deficit in 2; contralateral sensorimotor deficit with or without speech impairment in 10. Internal carotid artery dissection was triggered by a trauma in 7, whereas it was spontaneous in 15. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed infarction in 18 patients. A good outcome (modified Rankin score 0-2) was seen in 20 patients. The spectrum of clinical presentations of internal carotid artery dissection is variable. Internal carotid artery dissection is not necessarily accompanied by infarction on magnetic resonance imaging.

Keywords: Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection, Diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, Signs and Symptoms, Neurologic Manifestations, Stroke, Horner Syndrome, Adolescent, Adult, Middle Aged