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Cervical artery dissection
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Cervical artery dissection is dissection of one of the layers that compose the carotid and vertebral artery in the neck (cervix).[1][2] They include:[1]
- Carotid artery dissection, a separation of the layers of the artery wall supplying oxygen-bearing blood to the head and brain.[3]
- Vertebral artery dissection, a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the vertebral artery that supply blood to the brain and spinal cord.[4]
Cervical artery dissection | |
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Arteries of the neck. | |
Types | Carotid artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection[1] |
Cervical dissections can be broadly classified as either "spontaneous" or traumatic. Cervical artery dissections are a significant cause of strokes in young adults.[5]
A dissection typically results in a tear in one of the layers of the arterial wall.[2] The result of this tear is often an intramural hematoma and/or aneurysmal dilation[2][6] in the arteries leading to the intracranial area.[2][7]
Signs and symptoms of a cervical artery dissection are often non-specific and can be localized or generalized.[1][2] There is no specific treatment, although most patients are either given an anti-platelet or anti-coagulation agent to prevent or treat strokes.[2]