Extracranial Vertebral Artery Dissection Research Articles

Cervical radiculopathy due to extracranial vertebral artery dissection treated by stent placement with a flow diversion effect: illustrative case.

Cervical radiculopathy due to extracranial vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is extremely rare. The disease is usually treated with conservative treatment because of its favorable prognosis. However, there is a possibility that conservative treatment may bring about no improvement in radiculopathy. Although stent placement with a flow diversion effect may be effective in such cases, there are no reported cases that were treated with stent placement. A 40-year-old healthy man presented with severe right neck pain, right arm pain, and right arm weakness after cracking his neck. A neurological examination revealed right C5 radiculopathy. Neuroimaging studies revealed right extracranial VAD. The VAD compressed the right C5 nerve root. Although medications were administered, there was no improvement in the symptoms. He experienced severe radicular pain. The authors performed stent placement with a flow diversion effect 10 days after the onset of VAD. His radicular pain improved immediately after the procedure, and the remaining radiculopathy completely improved within 1 month. Follow-up angiography showed complete improvement of the VAD. Stent placement with a flow diversion effect may be considered when radiculopathy that hinders a patient's daily life exists. Stent placement may bring about rapid improvement in radiculopathy, especially radicular pain.

Usefulness of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Extracranial Vertebral Artery Dissection.

Extracranial vertebral artery dissection is a cerebrovascular disease that occurs most commonly in young people. A 32-year-old man experienced sudden cervical pain and was diagnosed with left vertebral artery dissection after arterial changes were identified by ultrasonography. The reduction in the size of an intramural hematoma in the left vertebral artery and in the peak systolic velocity were evaluated over time. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and cerebral angiography are generally performed to diagnose and follow-up extracranial vertebral artery dissection; however, carotid ultrasonography has an advantage over these modalities by enabling the simultaneous observation of vascular morphology and hemodynamics.

Predictors of ischemic events in patients with unilateral extracranial vertebral artery dissection: A single-center exploratory study.

ObjectiveExtracranial vertebral artery dissection (EVAD) is one of the main causes of stroke in young and middle-aged patients. However, the diagnosis is challenging. This study aimed to identify the characteristics of EVAD on color duplex ultrasonography (CDU) and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI), hoping to improve the accuracy and determine the relative contribution of vessel findings and clinical factors to acute ischemic events.MethodsPatients with unilateral EVAD were recruited and divided into ischemia and non-ischemia groups. Clinical features of patients and the lesion location; a variety of signs which indicate dissection, including the presence of an intimal flap, double lumen, intramural hematoma, dissecting aneurysm, intraluminal thrombus, and irregular lumen; and other quantitative parameters of each dissected segment on CDU and hrMRI were reviewed, respectively. Multiple logistic regression was performed to explore the association between clinical, imaging characteristics, and ischemic events in patients with unilateral EVAD.ResultsNinety-six patients with unilateral EVAD who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled during a six-year period. Overall, 41 cases (42.7%) were confirmed as ischemic stroke (n = 40) or transient ischemic attack (n = 1) during the 48 h after the onset of symptoms. Men, infections during the last week, and smoking were more common in the ischemia group. Intraluminal thrombus and occlusion on CDU were more prevalent in patients with cerebral ischemia than in those without (36.6 vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001, and 39.0 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.001, respectively). On hrMRI, intraluminal thrombus and occlusion were also more frequent in the ischemia group than in the non-ischemia group (34.1 vs. 5.5%; p < 0.001, and 34.1 vs. 9.1%; p = 0.003, respectively). In addition, lesion length on hrMRI was significantly longer for patients with ischemia (81.5 ± 41.7 vs. 64.7 ± 30.8 mm; p = 0.025). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male gender, infections during the last week, and the presence of intraluminal thrombus on CDU and hrMRI were independently associated with acute ischemic events.ConclusionMale sex, infections during the last week, and the presence of intraluminal thrombus due to dissection are associated with an increased risk of ischemic events in patients with unilateral EVAD.

A case of bow hunter’s syndrome due to bilateral extracranial vertebral artery dissection in the craniovertebral junction caused by neck rotation

A case of bow hunter’s syndrome due to bilateral extracranial vertebral artery dissection in the craniovertebral junction caused by neck rotation

Intracranial Extension of Extracranial Vertebral Dissection Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Ischemic Events.

Background and Purpose- Intracranial artery dissection can eventually lead to subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage. Little is known about the clinical features and risks associated with extracranial vertebral artery dissection that extends intracranially. The clinical and imaging characteristics of extracranial vertebral artery dissection (eVAD) with (e+iVAD) or without (eVAD) intracranial extension were analyzed. Methods- The frequency of ischemic events, including ischemic strokes and transient ischemic attacks, was compared between e+iVAD and eVAD patients from a monocentric cohort study. Results- Among 328 patients with cervical artery dissection, vertebral artery dissection was diagnosed in 153 individuals. Twenty-nine patients had e+iVAD (19%) and 124 patients had only eVAD (81%). Cardiovascular risk factors did not differ between these 2 groups, but ischemic events were more frequent in patients with e+iVAD than in patients with eVAD (86% versus 48%, P=0.0002). Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in 1 patient with e+iVAD and in 9 with eVAD (6% versus 3%, P=0.53). Intracranial extension was an independent factor associated with ischemic stroke at admission (odds ratio, 6.43; 95% CI, -1.96 to 21.08; P=0.002) after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and imaging findings. Conclusions- In a large cohort of patients with vertebral artery dissection, intracranial extension of the vessel dissection appears associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke.

Antiplatelet Therapy vs Anticoagulation Therapy in Cervical Artery Dissection

Extracranial carotid and vertebral artery dissection is an important cause of stroke, particularly in younger individuals. In some but not all observational studies, it has been associated with a high risk of recurrent stroke. Both antiplatelet agents (APs) and anticoagulants (ACs) are used to reduce stroke risk, but whether 1 treatment strategy is more effective is unknown. To determine whether AP or AC therapy is more effective in preventing stroke in cervical dissection and the risk of recurrent stroke in a randomized clinical trial setting. A secondary outcome was to determine the effect on arterial imaging outcomes. Randomized, prospective, open-label international multicenter parallel design study with central blinded review of both clinical and imaging end points. Recruitment was conducted in 39 stroke and neurology secondary care centers in the United Kingdom and 7 centers in Australia between February 24, 2006, and June 17, 2013. One-year follow-up and analysis was conducted in 2018. Two hundred fifty participants with extracranial carotid and vertebral dissection with symptom onset within the last 7 days were recruited. Follow-up data at 1 year were available for all participants. Randomization to AP or AC (heparin followed by warfarin) for 3 months, after which the choice of AP and AC agents was decided by the local clinician. The primary end point was ipsilateral stroke and death. A planned per protocol (PP) analysis was performed in patients meeting the inclusion criteria following central review of imaging to confirm the diagnosis of dissection. A secondary end point was angiographic recanalization in those with imaging confirmed dissection. Two hundred fifty patients were randomized (118 carotid and 132 vertebral), 126 to AP and 124 to AC. Mean (SD) age was 49 (12) years. Mean (SD) time to randomization was 3.65 (1.91) days. The recurrent stroke rate at 1 year was 6 of 250 (2.4%) on ITT analysis and 5 of 197 (2.5%) on PP analysis. There were no significant differences between treatment groups for any outcome. Of the 181 patients with confirmed dissection and complete imaging at baseline and 3 months, there was no difference in the presence of residual narrowing or occlusion between those receiving AP (n = 56 of 92) vs those receiving AC (n = 53 of 89) (P = .97). During 12 months of follow-up, the number of recurrent strokes was low. There was no difference between treatment groups in outcome events or the rate of recanalization. ISRCTN.com Identifier: CTN44555237.

Antiplatelets versus Anticoagulants in the Treatment of Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissection.

Very few studies have compared the safety and efficacy of antiplatelets and anticoagulants in the treatment of extracranial carotid and vertebral artery dissection. Our study was aimed at comparing the two types of antithrombotic treatment in extracranial dissection and to study the predictors of outcome in these patients. Prospective data of 200 consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of extracranial carotid (n = 132) or vertebral (n = 68) artery dissection (76% males; mean age, 43.5 ± 13 years) treated with antiplatelets (n = 136) or anticoagulants (n = 64) were analyzed retrospectively. The presenting symptom was stroke in 74.5%, transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 18.5%, and local symptoms in 7% of the patients. Follow-up was done at three and six months. Primary outcome measures were TIA or stroke and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) at three months. At the three-month follow-up, 106 (53%) patients had an excellent outcome. Recurrent ischemic events occurred in 7 (3.5%) and SICH in 11 (5.55%) patients. Six (4.41%) patients in the antiplatelet group and 1 patient (1.56%) in the anticoagulant group had recurrent ischemic events (P = 0.434); SICH was more frequent in the anticoagulant group (9.4% vs 3.7%, P = 0.185). On multivariate analysis, significant predictors of a poor three-month outcome were stroke as the presenting event and severity of stroke at onset. The risk of recurrent ischemic events in carotid and vertebral artery dissection is low and is irrespective of the type of antithrombotic treatment. Stroke as the presenting event and severity of stroke at onset were significant predictors of a poor three-month outcome.

Color Doppler ultrasonography is a reliable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of extracranial vertebral artery dissections.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of color Doppler sonography (CDS) in the diagnosis of extracranial vertebral artery dissections (EVADs). One hundred and fifty consecutive patients (age range 21-51years, mean 44years) with a clinical suspicion of vertebral artery dissection (VAD) were included in this study. All patients underwent CDS of vertebral arteries as the first-line imaging modality. Cervical T1-weighted fat-saturated axial MR images served as the gold standard. Of the 150 patients with a clinical suspicion of VAD, 27 patients were ultimately diagnosed with EVADs based on fat-saturated T1-weighted MR imaging. MR imaging was considered positive when crescentic hyperintensity (methemoglobin signal) was demonstrated at the wall of the vertebral artery. CDS was positive in 21 of these 27 patients and revealed either intramural hematoma or a dissecting membrane with two lumina. The most frequent site of involvement was the V1 to proximal V2 segment. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CDS in the diagnosis of EVADs were 77.8, 98.4, 91.3, and 95.3%, respectively. CDS is a reliable diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of EVADs.

Spontaneous intracranial vertebral artery dissection with acute ischemic stroke: High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Background Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) more frequently develops in patients with intracranial vertebral artery dissection (VAD) than extracranial VAD, and is associated with possible poor clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) findings and clinical features of VAD with and without AIS. Methods Twenty-nine lesions from 27 patients (15 male and 12 female patients; age range = 28-73 years) who underwent diffusion MRI and 3T HR-MRI within seven days were included. We classified VAD according to the presence of AIS lesions on diffusion MRI. Clinical features and HR-MRI findings (angiographic patterns, presence of double lumen sign, dissecting flap, posterior inferior cerebellar artery involvement, remodeling index, length of affected vessels, T1-signal intensity, area of intramural hematoma, and grades and patterns of vessel wall enhancement) were evaluated. Results Thirteen VADs with AIS and 16 without AIS were included. There were no significant differences in the clinical parameters (sex, age, risk factors, symptoms). More VADs with AIS presented as a steno-occlusive pattern than VADs without AIS. More VADs without AIS presented with aneurysmal dilation, larger mean remodeling index and longer mean length than VADs with AIS. Presence of intramural hematoma, T1-iso-signal intensity of intramural hematoma and contrast enhancement were significantly more common in VADs with AIS than without AIS. Conclusions Our study showed some differences in HR-MRI comparing intracranial VAD patients with and without AIS. Differing findings may facilitate a better understanding of intracranial VAD and risk assessment of AIS in these patients.

Extracranial vertebral artery dissection: Findings and advantages of ultrasonography.

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is not uncommon in the young adult population. Owing to the various clinical manifestations; the diagnosis of VAD mainly depends on imaging examinations. Ultrasound has found an increasingly wide utilization in the diagnosis of VAD because of the continuous improvement in the resolution of ultrasonic instruments and accessibility.We retrospectively collected the data of patients with a US-proven extracranial vertebral artery dissection. In accordance with the sonographic findings, all patients were classified as having intramural hematoma, double-lumen dissection, and occlusion dissection. The patients’ age, sex, risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases, and sonographic characteristics were analyzed.A total of 37 cases of US-proven extracranial vertebral artery dissections were included in this study. Thirty patients presented with intramural hematoma dissection, 1 had double-lumen dissection and 6 had occlusion dissection. No dissecting aneurysm was found in any of the patients. Concerning a subsequent angiographic examination, 13 patients failed to undergo the examination for various reasons. The remaining 24 patients underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and computerized tomographic angiography (CTA), among whom 1 patient with intramural hematoma was underdiagnosed because the DSA result was interpreted as normal. One patient who underwent CTA had a contrast allergy. In the remaining patients, the results of other imaging examinations were consistent with the US results.Intramural hematoma dissection is the most common type of extracranial vertebral artery dissection. Over other angiographic examinations US has a big diagnostic advantage for its direct view, accuracy, and low cost.

PO061 Spontaneous vertebral artery dissection presenting as hemicrania continua-like headache

Objective To report a patient who presented with acute symptoms resembling hemicrania continua, in whom further investigations demonstrated an acute ipsilateral vertebral artery dissection. Results A 30-year-old female patient presented with a seven-day history of worsening left sided headaches focused in the orbit, with ipsilateral ptosis and eyelid oedema. She also reported severe neck pain ongoing for two weeks, with no traumatic precipitant. A CT angiogram showed an extracranial left vertebral artery dissection with flow occlusion, and an MRI confirmed a mural thrombus. There was no evidence for acute brain ischaemia. The patient’s symptoms persisted for several months and partially responded to a left greater occipital nerve block. Conclusion The co-occurrence of vertebral artery dissection and trigeminal autonomic-type headache is very rare.We have not identified any previous reports of vertebral artery dissection presenting with features of hemicrania continua.

Recanalization after Extracranial Dissection: Effect of Antiplatelet Compared with Anticoagulant Therapy

Cervical arterial dissection is a leading cause of stroke in young patients, yet optimal management remains controversial. Existing studies focusing on recurrent stroke were underpowered to demonstrate differences between antithrombotic strategies. Vessel recanalization is a more prevalent outcome and is potentially clinically important. We aimed to assess recanalization rates with anticoagulation compared with antiplatelet therapy. We studied a single-center retrospective cohort of patients with extracranial carotid or vertebral artery dissection. Subjects with baseline and follow-up imaging between 1999 and 2013 were included. Stenosis was measured using North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial methodology. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors associated with recanalization, defined as ≥50% relative improvement in stenosis from baseline to follow-up imaging. Secondary analyses assessed absolute and relative stenosis change and limited the cohort to >50% stenosis at diagnosis. We identified 75 patients with 84 dissections, mean age 47 years, 43% female, 39% non-white. Patients treated with anticoagulation had worse stenosis at baseline (median 99% versus 50%, P = .02). Comparing anticoagulation with antiplatelet therapy in the first month, there were no differences in the rates of ≥50% relative improvement in stenosis (50% versus 48%, P = .84) nor in absolute (median 16% versus 7%, P = .34) or relative (median 48% versus 43%, P = .92) change in stenosis from baseline to follow-up. In multivariable analysis, anticoagulation was not associated with recanalization (odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .5-4.1, P = .52), whereas hypertension was negatively associated (OR .26, 95% CI: .09-.72, P = .009). Anticoagulation was not associated with greater likelihood of recanalization compared with antiplatelet medication therapy.

P 118 Unilateral polyradicular deficit from C4 to C6 as a symptom of a spontaneous extracranial vertebral artery dissection.

A 47-year old man with shoulder and neck pain of the right side presented sensory deficits and peripheral paresis of the proximal arm. The rare cause was a spontaneous extracranial vertebral artery dissection affecting C4 to C6 nerve roots diagnosed by cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography. The treatment based on anticoagulation and physical therapy.

The advantage of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of extracranial vertebral artery dissection

Rationale:With the rapid development in technology of vascular imaging, the detection of artery dissection is also gradually increasing. Cervical artery dissection, including carotid artery and vertebral artery dissection, is associated in at least 20% of young adult patients with stroke. So, the diagnosis of cervical artery has become a great challenge.Patient concerns:We reported 2 patients who complained of dizziness and pain, the findings of US confirmed the presence of extracranial vertebral artery dissection.Diagnoses:The floating membrane in lumen and intramural hematoma were found in US, consistent with vertebral artery dissection, whereas DSA revealed no typical sign of artery dissection.Interventions:In order to the definite diagnosis we persuaded the patients to undergo DSA, but there was no strong evidence on the diagnosis of vertebtal artery dissection.Outcomes:The patients were diagnosed of vertebral artery dissection by US.Lessons:US show more advantages in diagnosis of extracranial vertebral artery dissection, might even be considered as the first choice.

Pathogenesis Concept Of Extracranial Dissections In Iran

Background: Dissection of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery (EICA) and Extracranial Vertebral Artery (EVA) is an amportant cause of brain infarction with miscellaneous etiologies around the world.Methods: A prospective observational clinical study was conducted in Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran between 2008-2016. Diagnosis of brain infarction and TIA was made by stroke neurologist. Detection of EICA and EVA dissections were made by performing CT angiography and MR angiography or DSA in the suspected patients. Demographic features, clinical manifestations, territorial involvement, pathophysiology and pathogenesis of dissections were assessed in all of the patients. Pathogenesis of dissections was classified as Idiopathic, Trumatic, Postural and Genetic categories.Results: Twenty eight patients (21 males, 7 females) were admitted with extracranial arterial dissection. Mean age of males and females with dissection was 39.81± 4.2 and 35.71±6.1 years respectively. Influence of gender on age of the patients was not significant, p&gt;0.05. Among patients with extracranial dissection only 3.6% had atherosclerosis risk factors and 96.4% had no other cause for brain infarction. 100% of extracranial dissections in males occured in carotid territory, while 28.6% of females had dissection in the EVA. The influence of gender in territory of dissection was significant, p&lt;0.05. Idiopathic dissections and genetic susceptibility was found in 10.7% and 3.6% of extracranial dissections respectively. 53.5% of the patienrs had trumatic pathogenesis for extracranial dissections and 32.1% developed dissection due to special neck postures. Important details in pathophysiology and pathogenesis of extracranial dissections will be presented in the lecture.Conclusion: Stroke patients with extracranial dissections have characteristic demographic and territorial involvement. Trumatic pathogenesis is the most frequent cause of dissection in Iran followed by neck postural injry. Dissection, Etiology, Pathogenesis

Extracranial vertebral artery rupture likely secondary to "cupping therapy" superimposed on spontaneous dissection.

The extracranial vertebral artery (VA) is vulnerable to dissection and the V3 segment is the most common location for dissection. Dissection accounts for about 2% of all ischemic strokes and can occur after trauma or chiropractic neck maneuvers. We report an extremely rare case of spontaneous extracranial VA dissection presenting with posterior neck hematoma aggravated after cupping therapy, a treatment in traditional Oriental medicine. We treated the patient successfully by endovascular treatment without any complication.

The recurrence of ischemic stroke due to extracranial vertebral artery dissection 15 years after cerebellar infarction in a 17-year-old

The recurrence of ischemic stroke due to extracranial vertebral artery dissection 15 years after cerebellar infarction in a 17-year-old

Commentary on the Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study Trial.

The incidence of cervical artery dissection (CeAD) in the general population is as low as 2.6 to 3.0 per 100 000 inhabitants per year and accounts for only a small proportion of all ischemic stroke, but it is a major cause of stroke among young and middle-aged adults.1–3 Cervicocerebral dissection was the second common cause (15%) preceded by cardioembolism (20%) in 1008 Finnish patients with ischemic stroke aged 15 to 49 years.4 The current guidelines recommend antithrombotic treatment at the acute phase of CeAD, especially in patients presenting with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.5 However, the optimal strategy for prevention of stroke in patients with acute CeAD is controversial, and there is a lively debate around choice of antithrombotic drugs (anticoagulation versus antiplatelet therapy), duration of antithrombotic treatment, and indications for endovascular and surgical treatments. The recent Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study (CADISS) trial6 published in the Lancet Neurology aimed to address one of these questions, namely, which antithrombotic therapy, out of anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents, should be preferred at the acute phase of CeAD. Many practitioners routinely treat CeAD patients with anticoagulants, and some guidelines are supporting this practice,5 mainly based on the empirical argument that the mechanism of ischemic stroke in CeAD is thromboembolic in the vast majority of cases (an assumption derived from the neuroimaging distribution of ischemic lesions).7 The CADISS trial was planned as a phase 2 feasibility trial.8 Patients with CeAD (extracranial carotid or vertebral artery dissection) with onset of symptom within the past 7 days and imaging evidence of definite or probable dissection were included. The sample size required for this feasibility phase was estimated at 250 based on the rates of recurrence reported in observational studies9–11 (details on the …

Symptomatic bilateral extra-cranial vertebral artery dissections induced by sexual activity

Introduction: Trauma is a well-recognized cause of vertebral artery dissection (VAD) and even minor episodes of trauma, including sneezing and vigorous exercise, have been implicated. Symptomatic bilateral vertebral artery dissections after sexual activity to our knowledge has not been reported. Case r eport: A 32-year-old female presented with a three week history of occipito-cervical headaches. Noninvasive imaging identified bilateral vertebral artery dissections. The etiology was inferred after a directed clinical history revealed sexual activity characterized by aggressive repeated neck hyperextension from hair-pulling during intercourse. Conclusion: We report a case of symptomatic bilateral VAD in the setting sexual intercourse related trauma. The quality of clinical data gathering, in particular pertinent history taking is imperative in determining a potential cause. This is important in patient counselling so as to prevent recurrence.

Extracranial and intracranial vertebral artery dissections: A comparison of clinical findings

BackgroundThe diagnostic criteria for extracranial vertebral artery dissection (VAD) have not been standardized among stroke centers. Recent studies have shown that extracranial (EVAD) and intracranial (IVAD) VAD may be different clinical entities. In this study, we reviewed clinical findings, including image findings of VAD cases, and compared these findings to EVAD and IVAD cases to highlight the clinical characteristics of EVAD. MethodsWe searched our database to identify VAD cases registered between April 2008 and October 2014. We performed retrospective chart reviews to obtain detailed clinical information and compared clinical characteristics and radiological findings between EVAD and IVAD cases. ResultsWe identified 10 patients with EVAD and 113 patients with IVAD. Clinically, patients with EVAD had initial symptoms that included significantly higher frequencies of neck pain, nausea, and vertigo, whereas medical hypertension and alcohol consumption were more commonly associated with IVAD cases. EVAD cases were also more likely to manifest as ischemic stroke. Radiologically, intramural hematomas were more commonly observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with EVAD, whereas MRI and computed tomography more frequently revealed aneurysm formation in IVAD cases. ConclusionsOur data identified the clinical differences between patients with EVAD and IVAD. When relatively young patients complain of sudden-onset neck pain and/or other neurological symptoms, MRI studies may be useful to diagnose EVAD, especially when associated with mechanical stress.