Internal carotid artery dissection associated with scuba diving.

ABSTRACT

A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department with dysphasia and a headache after scuba diving. He was treated initially for decompression sickness. Subsequent workup revealed bilateral internal carotid artery dissection. The risk factors, presenting symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of internal carotid artery dissection are reviewed. The importance of considering unusual causes of neurologic deficits after scuba diving is emphasized.