Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after stenting for revascularization of intracranial internal carotid artery dissection.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is one of the complications of cerebral revascularization. The main pathophysiology of CHS was considered to be cerebral autoregulation impairment due to long-standing cerebral hypoperfusion. Herein, we describe the case of a 40-year-old man with symptomatic intracranial arterial dissection (IAD) related to internal carotid artery stenosis. The patient underwent intracranial stenting 11 days after onset due to severe cerebral hypoperfusion presenting with neurological symptoms, and CHS presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage, post-operatively. The present case indicated not only the potential risk of CHS after intracranial stenting in IAD-related stenosis but also that cerebral hypoperfusion-even in a short period-might lead to CHS.

Long-term outcome of cervical artery dissection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the natural history of extracranial cervical artery dissection (CAD) including comorbidities, symptoms at presentation, recurrence of symptoms, and long-term outcome following different treatment approaches. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients treated for acute CAD was performed over a 5-year period from January 2017 to April 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included in the study, 25 (64.1%) with acute internal carotid artery dissection and 14 (35.9%) with acute vertebral artery dissection. Thirty-four patients (87.1%) had spontaneous CAD, and five patients (12.8%) had traumatic CAD. The mean age of the cohort was 54.2 years. The mean time from symptom onset to presentation was 4.34 days. The most common symptoms in internal carotid artery dissection were unilateral weakness (44%), headache (44%), slurred speech (36%), facial droop (28%), unilateral paraesthesia (24%), neck pain (12%), visual disturbance (8%), and Horner's syndrome (8%). The most common symptoms in vertebral artery dissection were headache (35.7%), neck pain (35.7%), vertigo (28.57%), ataxia (14.28%), and slurred speech (14.28%). The imaging modalities used for diagnosis included computed tomography angiography (48.7%), magnetic resonance angiography (41%), and duplex ultrasound (10.2%). In patients with carotid artery dissection, 57% had severe stenosis, 24% had moderate stenosis, and 20% had mild stenosis. All patients treated were managed conservatively with either anticoagulation or antiplatelets. Long-term clinical follow-up was available for 33 patients (84.6%). Thirty patients (90.9%) reported complete resolution of symptoms, and three patients (9%) reported persistent symptoms. Anatomic follow-up with imaging was available for 17 patients (43.58%). Thirteen patients (76.47%) had complete resolution of dissection, two patients (11.76%) had partial resolution of dissection, and two patients (11.76%) had persistent dissection. There was one death unrelated to CAD in a multi-trauma patient. There were four early recurrent symptoms in the first 3 to 8 weeks post discharge. The mean follow-up time was 308.27 days. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of CADs can be managed conservatively with good clinical and anatomical outcome and low rates of recurrence.

Internal carotid artery dissection caused by elongated styloid process.

A 69-year-old man with impaired consciousness, right hemiplegia, and aphasia was admitted to our emergency room for thorough examination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scan of the head revealed a cerebral infarction due to dissection of the left internal carotid artery. Contrast-enhanced CT prior to internal carotid artery stenting showed that the left elongated styloid process ran in close proximity to the left internal carotid artery, with a minimum distance of 2 mm. The patient underwent stenting at the internal carotid artery 16 days after disease onset. The patient was referred to our department for left elongated styloid process resection to reduce the risk of further internal carotid artery injury. Resection of the left styloid process through a cervical incision was performed. Six months after surgery, there was no recurrence of the internal carotid artery dissection.

Possible influence of styloid process length on isolated vertigo of unknown aetiology.

OBJECTIVE: Eagle syndrome or styloid process syndrome is a clinical condition of complex aetiology. Since, as a consequence of vascular compression,due to the length of the styloid process and its nearness to the internal carotid artery,it can lead to vertigo. Vertigo may be the only symptom of stylocarotid syndrome and it is extremely challenging diagnose.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that measures the lengths of styloid process on the Croatian population's,and possible influence of styloid process length on isolated vertigo of unknown aetiology. METHODS: This study included 829 subjects who were divided into two groups.The first group was the control group, consisting of 800 subjects.The second group, study group, consisted of 29 subjects who suffered from the vertigo of unknown aetiology. RESULTS: The statistically significant difference between the study and the control group was observed in the length of the styloid process, and in the closest distance of the styloid process from the carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: The prolonged styloid process and its close association with the internal carotid artery may affect vertigo of unknown aetiology and should be clinically and radiographically investigated in cases of unexplained vertigo as an isolated and only symptom within stylocarotid syndrome.

"Incidence, characteristics and prognosis of cervical artery dissection-induced ischemic stroke in central Iran".

OBJECTIVES: Ischemic stroke is the most common presentation of cervical artery dissection (CAD). Information regarding CAD-induced stroke is scarce, especially in the Middle East. Here we investigated the incidence of CAD-induced stroke, its characteristics, and the clinical course in central Iran. METHODS: This is an observational study conducted in the city of Isfahan, Iran. We recruited patients with ischemic stroke during 2017-2019. We analyzed characteristics of the CAD-induced stroke patients with regards to the involved vessel (internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) or vertebral artery dissection (VAD)). We assessed functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]) and recanalization status after 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: Among 3630 ischemic stroke patients, 51(1.4%) had CAD-induced stroke (mean age: 41.8 ± 12.6; 40.4% female; 28 and 19 ICAD and VAD cases, respectively). The crude incidence rate of CAD-induced stroke was 1.20/100,000/year (0.66/100,000/year and 0.45/100,000/year for strokes due to ICAD and VAD, respectively). mRS ≤ 2 was present in 63.8% of the patients after 1 year of follow-up. History of exercise during the last days before stroke occurrence was associated with a better follow-up mRS (ß = -3.1, p-value: 0.037). Administration of anticoagulant or double-antiplatelets was related neither to mRS nor recanalization results. Trauma (27.7%), smoking (21.3%), and headache disorders/migraine (21.3%) were the most common reported factors. CONCLUSION: We found a crude incidence rate of 1.20/100,000/year for CAD-induced stroke. Trauma, smoking, and headache disorders were the most common reported factors among our patients. CAD-induced stroke had a favorable long-term prognosis regardless of the type of the involved vessel or the used medication.

[Dissection of brachiocephalic arteries as a complication of open neurosurgery: case report and literature review]. / Dissektsiya brakhiotsefal'nykh arterii kak oslozhnenie otkrytoi neirokhirurgicheskoi operatsii: sluchai iz praktiki i obzor literatury.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal styloid processes cause dissection of supra-aortic arteries in some cases. In total, about 33 cases have been described in the world and national literature. However, there were no dissections associated with neurosurgery. At the same time, anomalies of styloid process may be an unidentified cause of many spontaneous dissections of brachiocephalic arteries. OBJECTIVE: To analyze modern data on dissection of brachiocephalic arteries associated with anomalies of styloid process and describe dissection in a 44-year-old patient with deviated styloid processes after posterior cranial fossa surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searching for literature data was performed using the keywords "dissection of the cervicocerebral arteries", "dissection of the brachiocephalic arteries", "stylocarotid syndrome" and "Eagle syndrome" in the PubMed and Medscape databases. We also describe a patient hospitalized for microsurgical resection of cystic-solid hemangioblastoma of medulla oblongata who developed postoperative dissection of both internal carotid and vertebral arteries. RESULTS: We found 1777 papers between 01/01/1900 and 01/18/2021. In most cases, ICA dissection was not a result of stylocarotid syndrome. There were 121 full-text Russian- or English-language articles. We selected 46 most relevant publications. Analyzing these papers, we found that small distance between the tops of styloid processes and internal carotid arteries can be a risk factor of dissection of brachiocephalic arteries in addition to styloid process elongation. Our patient was diagnosed with just such an anomaly. CONCLUSION: Anomalies of styloid processes can cause dangerous vascular complications. Therefore, the length and abnormal deviation of styloid process should be considered when planning intraoperative position of a patient associated with prolonged neck flexion.

A Spontaneous Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Dissection with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background and Objectives: Non-cystic manifestation of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an important risk factor for cerebral aneurysms. In this report, we describe a rare spontaneous internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection in a patient with ADPKD. Observations: A 38-year-old woman with a history of ADPKD and acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery dissection experienced severe spontaneous pain on the left side of her neck. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a severe left ICA stenosis localized at its origin. Carotid plaque MRI showed that the stenotic lesion was due to a subacute intramural hematoma. Close follow-up by an imaging study was performed under the diagnosis of spontaneous extracranial ICA dissection, and spontaneous regression of the intramural hematoma was observed uneventfully. Conclusions: When patients with a history of ADPKD present with severe neck pain, it is crucial to consider the possibility of a spontaneous ICA dissection. A carotid plaque MRI is beneficial in the differential diagnosis. Conservative management may benefit patients without ischemic symptoms.

[Internal carotid artery dissection in patients with Turner's syndrome]. / Dissektsiya vnutrennei sonnoi arterii u bol'nykh s sindromom Shereshevskogo­Ternera.

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) due to arterial wall weakness (dysplasia) is one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke (IS) at a young age. A rare and little known cause of CeAD is Turner's syndrome (TS)-is an inherited disease caused by completely or partially missing X chromosome. In this paper, we describe 2 female patients, aged 27 and 33 years, with genetically confirmed TS (karyotype 45X0) and internal carotid artery dissection(ICAD).TS frequency among our 304 patients with CeAD was 0.07%. Both patients had short stature, received hormone replacement therapy from the age of 14 and had arterial hypertension. In addition, the first patient suffered from hypothyroidism, osteoporosis and survived a nephrectomy for hydronephrosis. ICAD in first patient manifested by IS. MRI of the neck arteries, MRA and CTA revealed intramural hematoma, hemodynamically significant stenosis, which regressed in 4 months. In the second patient, dissection was manifested by local symptoms (Horner's syndrome, cervicocephalic pain on the dissection side). MRA and CTA revealed a precranial dissected aneurysm of the left ICA (on the side of local symptoms), fusiform expansion of the right ICA, and pathological tortuosity of both ICA. The paper discusses the cause of vasculopathy in TS. It is assumed that connective tissue damage is associated with a deficiency of biglycan - extracellular matrix protein, which interacts with collagen and elastin to strengthen the arterial wall. Biglycan gene is linked to X-chromosome which is completely or partlially missing in TS resulting in a biglycan deficiency. The role of sex hormone deficiency as a cause of arterial wall weakness is unlikely.

Use of flow diverter stent for treatment of a cervical carotid artery dissection and pseudoaneurysm causing Horner's syndrome.

A 28-year-old man in 2004 was identified with a spontaneous pseudoaneurysm and distal left cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. The patient was followed conservatively for 12 years with cross-sectional imaging. The patient was initially diagnosed with an acute left ICA dissection, with significant luminal narrowing. Follow-up imaging revealed the dissection was not completely healed, and a small pseudoaneurysm, about 4 mm in size, was formed in the distal left cervical ICA. During the 12-year observation period, the patient's pseudoaneurysm expanded from 4.0 mm to 9.0 mm, and the patient presented with ptosis, anisocoria and myosis. Flow diverter embolisation resulted in a radiographic cure of the pseudoaneurysm and resolution of Horner's syndrome.

Symptomatic internal carotid artery dissection and kinking in a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia / Dissecção e acotovelamento sintomáticos da artéria carótida interna em paciente com displasia fibromuscular

Abstract Isolated dissection of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is rare in young patients and is a cause for strong suspicion of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), especially when associated with artery elongation and tortuosity. The natural history of cerebrovascular FMD is unknown and management of symptomatic patients can be challenging. We report the case of a 44-year-old female patient with a history of transient ischemic attack in the absence of cardiovascular risk factors, associated with an isolated left ICA dissection and kinking. Carotid duplex ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of dissection and demonstrated severe stenosis of the left ICA. The patient underwent surgical repair and histopathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of FMD with dissection. An autogenous great saphenous vein bypass was performed and the patient had an uneventful recovery. Cervical carotid artery dissection can be related to underlying arterial pathologies such as FMD, and the presence of ICA tortuosity highlights certain peculiarities for optimal management, which might be surgical.

Resumo A dissecção isolada da artéria carótida interna em pacientes jovens é rara, e a displasia fibromuscular deve ser altamente suspeitada principalmente quando estiver associada a alongamento e tortuosidade da artéria. A história natural da displasia fibromuscular cerebrovascular é desconhecida, e o manejo de pacientes sintomáticos pode ser desafiador. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente de 44 anos com histórico de ataque isquêmico transitório sem fatores de risco cardiovasculares, associado a dissecção e acotovelamento isolados da artéria carótida interna esquerda. O ultrassom duplo das carótidas confirmou o diagnóstico de dissecção e demonstrou estenose grave na artéria carótida interna esquerda. A paciente foi submetida a reparo cirúrgico, e a avaliação histopatológica confirmou o diagnóstico de displasia fibromuscular com dissecção. Foi realizada cirurgia de ressecção do segmento e reconstrução com veia safena magna autógena, e a paciente se recuperou sem complicações. A dissecção da artéria carótida cervical pode estar relacionada a doenças arteriais subjacentes, como a displasia fibromuscular, e a presença da tortuosidade da artéria carótida interna destaca algumas particularidades no manejo ideal, o qual pode ser cirúrgico.

Cervical artery dissection-an easily neglected cause of stroke: a case report.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the incidence of stroke has gradually increased in young people. There are many reasons causing stroke, including atherosclerosis, artery embolization, and cervical artery dissection and so on. However, cervical artery dissection is a major cause of stroke in young people. We present a case of ischemic stroke caused by dissection, whose distal vascular occlusion due to detachment of the thrombosis in the right internal carotid artery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital because of stroke. Imaging examination showed that there was no visualization of the right middle cerebral artery and there were a large number of mural thrombus in the C1 segment of the right internal carotid artery. After emergency surgery, the patient had vascular recanalization and the symptoms were significantly improved. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a high signal in the C1 segment of the right internal carotid artery, the abnormal signal disappeared after antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: When a patient has symptoms of stroke, we need to explore the root cause of stroke. Especially in young people, cervical artery dissection is an important reason that can't be ignored. Through review and analysis of this case, we hope to improve the understanding of radiologists and clinicians about the cervical artery dissection, reduce the rate of misdiagnosis, and improve patients' prognosis.

Endovascular Treatment of Spontaneous Internal Carotid Artery Dissection with Proximal Embolic Protection Device.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report the feasibility and outcomes with the endovascular treatment of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissections (ICADs) using a proximal embolic protection device (EPD). METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated for spontaneous symptomatic ICAD using a proximal EPD from January 2017 to December 2018. Indication for treatment was the presence of neurologic symptoms. Early outcomes measured included technical success, perioperative mortality, and major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular complications. Late outcomes were recurrent neurologic symptoms, patency, and reinterventions. RESULTS: A total of 4 male patients with ICAD were included. A preoperative cerebral computed tomography positive for cerebral ischemic events was reported in all cases. In 3 patients, the neurologic symptoms consisted of a transient ischemic attack; the remaining patient presented an amaurosis fugax and aphasia. In 2 patients, ICAD was associated with a carotid significant stenosis. In all patients, the reported approach was feasible with no complications and complete anatomic dissection resolution. At a mean follow-up of 18 months, all stents are patent and no restenosis recurrence or complications were registered. CONCLUSIONS: The use of proximal EPDs allowed the treatment of ICAD under flow arrest, minimizing the risk of stroke during the endovascular maneuvers. Larger series are required to validate this treatment strategy.

[Intracerebral hemorrhage in the late period of internal carotid artery dissection]. / Vnutrimozgovye krovoizliianiia v pozdnem periode dissektsii vnutrennei sonnoi arterii.

Cervical artery dissection is the common cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-age patients. According to our previous studies, dissection is related to arterial wall dysplastic changes, which in their turn are due to mitochondrial cytopathy. The authors describe three male patients who at the age of 53, 25 and 35 years underwent internal artery (ICA) dissection with occlusion of its lumen and subsequent recanalization in one of them. In 3.5 months, 13.5 years and 3 years respectively, patients developed intracerebral hemorrhage (IСH), which was not related to arterial hypertension, cerebral arterial aneurysms and anticoagulants. IСH were located on the side of ICA occluded after dissection (2 patients) or bilaterally in the territory of patent ICA (1 patient). Multivoxel 1H-MR spectroscopy performed in one patient on 40 and 48 days after ICH revealed a high lactate peak in the externally unchanged hemispheric white matter. It is assumed that mitochondrial cytopathy in patients with dissection may involve large as well as small intracerebral arteries (mitochondrial microangiopathy), which could be the cause of ICH.

Two cases of pulsatile tinnitus: Key points for the clinician.

INTRODUCTION: Pulsatile tinnitus is a sound generated by an acoustic source from within the body, which is perceived by the auditory system of the patient. CASES SUMMARY: We report two puzzling cases of pulsatile tinnitus with normal ENT examinations: the first was due to a cervical internal carotid artery dissection, and the second to the compression of the foramina of Monro by a craniopharyngioma, leading to hydrocephalus. DISCUSSION: We review the systematic management and emphasize the decisive role of the ENT clinician regarding this pulsatile tinnitus complaint, because of the potentially severe complications of its underlying pathology.

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Internal Carotid Artery Dissection with Abducent Nerve Palsy: Case Report and Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Sixth-nerve palsy often develops as a result of trauma, neoplasm, or vascular disease affecting the pons. Less commonly, this palsy can be caused by pathology of the internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus region. Here, we describe a rare case of spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus accompanied by acute sixth nerve palsy that was successfully treated with surgery. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-year-old man presented suddenly and spontaneously with isolated abducent nerve palsy. His magnetic resonance angiography identified a dissection of the right internal carotid artery in the cavernous sinus. We successfully treated it with high-flow bypass and ligation of the internal carotid artery (ICA). CONCLUSIONS: Intracavernous ICA dissection is a possible cause of sixth nerve palsy. While most cases likely result from compromised arterial blood supply to the affected nerve, compression of the cranial nerves by the expanded artery can occur in some cases. Surgical treatment is a safe and effective option for relieving nerve compression after intracavernous ICA dissection.

Reperfusion therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke caused by cervical artery dissection. / Tratamientos de reperfusión en el infarto cerebral agudo por disección de arterias cervicales.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is responsible for up to 20% of all ischaemic strokes in patients younger than 45. The benefits of acute-phase reperfusion therapy in these patients have yet to be confirmed. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with CAD admitted to a comprehensive stroke centre between 2010 and 2015. We recorded baseline clinical characteristics, treatments, functional outcomes, and mortality. RESULTS: We identified 35 cases of CAD (23 carotid/12 vertebral); mean age was 43.5 ± 9.5 years and 67.7% were men. Ten patients (32.3%) had a history of trauma. The most frequent risk factors were arterial hypertension (29%) and smoking (35.5%). The most common clinical presentation was ischaemic stroke (29 patients, 93.5%). The median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 6 (range, 0-41). The most frequently used diagnostic method was CT angiography (74.2%), followed by MRI (64.5%) and digital subtraction angiography (45.6%). Seven patients (22.6%) were treated with intravenous fibrinolysis and 11 (35.5%) with endovascular treatment plus intravenous fibrinolysis; at 3 months, functional independence (modified Rankin Scale scores 0-2) was achieved by 57.1% and 63.6% of these cases, respectively. One patient died (3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, the most common form of presentation of CAD was ischaemic stroke. Reperfusion therapy seems to be a safe and effective option for these patients, and outcomes resemble those of other patients with ischaemic stroke. Larger comparative studies are necessary to better assess response to reperfusion therapy in acute ischaemic stroke.

Spontaneous carotid artery dissection.

Symptomatic spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection is responsible for up to 20% of strokes in patients under age 45 years. A carotid artery dissection occurs when arterial walls separate and create a false lumen. Risk factors include neck trauma, recent infection, family history, smoking, hypertension, oral contraceptives, migraine headaches, and connective tissue disease. Dissections can produce local pain, facial paralysis, and pupillary defects. Treatment includes anticoagulation and, in the event of pharmaceutical failure or recurrence, surgery.

Spontaneous carotid dissection / Dissecção espontânea de carótida

Summary Carotid dissection is a rare occurrence but it is the main cause of stroke in individuals aged less than 45 years, and can be the etiology in up to 25% of strokes in young adults. We report a case with classic image of ying yang on vascular ultrasound, which was treated according to the best available medical evidence, yielding a favorable outcome.

Resumo A dissecção de carótida é entidade rara, mas é a principal causa de acidentes vasculares cerebrais isquêmicos em menores de 45 anos e pode ser a etiologia de até 25% dos acidentes vasculares cerebrais em adultos jovens. Apresenta-se um caso com imagem clássica de ying yang à ultrassonografia vascular, que foi tratado de acordo com as melhores evidências médicas disponíveis e apresentou boa evolução.

Cervical artery dissection at high altitude: an overview of two patients.

While altitude illness is common in the Himalayas, conditions unrelated to altitude illness also occur. High altitude cerebral oedema HACE is a global phenomenon of gradual onset affecting both cerebral hemispheres. We outline two cases of cervical artery dissection presenting with sudden onset of focal neurological symptoms at high altitude.