Headache and Neck Pain From Cervicocranial Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Abstract

This was a case of headache and neck pain that developed into a three-vessel dissection because of a noninflammatory, nonatherosclerotic disease affecting the cervical and vertebral arteries called cervicocranial fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Cervicocranial FMD is not a rare disease, but it remains commonly underdiagnosed. With educated and prudent health care professionals, complications could be averted and lives could be saved. Four essential themes are highlighted. First, health care professionals need to ensure that the basic use of stethoscopes in assessing bruits is performed consistently, especially for young females. Furthermore, FMD needs to be another differential diagnosis for younger patients with new onset hypertension and stroke. Second, it is important to stress that this disease can affect anyone regardless of health and/or status. Last, the third and fourth themes emphasize that education and research are lacking on cervicocranial FMD. It is imperative that health care professionals stay updated with current knowledge to prevent misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis.