Q&A

What is intracranial arterial dissection?

What is intracranial arterial dissection?

Abstract. Cerebral arterial dissection is defined as a hematoma in the wall of a cervical or an intracranial artery. Cerebral arterial dissection causes arterial stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysm, resulting in acute infarction and hemorrhage.

What is the most common cause of vertebral artery dissection?

[4][5][6]Blunt trauma to the neck is the most common reported precipitating event. Patients with connective tissue disorders are also at increased risk. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the most common connective tissue disorder that can cause vertebral artery dissection.

How is vertebral artery dissection detected?

CTA, MRI and catheter angiography can all be used to detect vertebral artery dissection, and each has pros and cons.

What is dissection of vertebral artery?

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the vertebral artery, which is located in the neck and supplies blood to the brain. After the tear, blood enters the arterial wall and forms a blood clot, thickening the artery wall and often impeding blood flow.

How serious is artery dissection?

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection — sometimes referred to as SCAD — is an uncommon emergency condition that occurs when a tear forms in a blood vessel in the heart. SCAD can slow or block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, abnormalities in heart rhythm or sudden death.

Can you live a long life with SCAD?

Subsequent dissections are more likely to occur within the first few months of the first event, with the risk reducing as time goes by. The good news is that the large majority of people who have experienced SCAD go on to live healthy lives without further problems.

Can you live with dissected carotid artery?

Conclusions: Most cervical carotid dissections can safely be conservatively managed, with the majority achieving anatomic and symptomatic resolution, with low rates of recurrence over long-term follow-up.

How do you treat a dissected artery?

Although arterial dissections often heal on their own, most children with dissections require treatment to prevent strokes while the dissection heals. The most common therapy for children is an anti-clotting medicine or blood thinner, such as coumadin or aspirin.