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Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is rare, yet it is a common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Historically, some senior clinicians favored anticoagulation in the prevention of stroke due to CAD. Choosing the optimal antithrombotic treatment with either antiplatelet (AP) or anticoagulant (AC) medications remains a challenge. This paper will review the clinical features and imaging of CAD, and the acute treatment and prevention of stroke due to CAD. Until 2015, there were no prospective randomized trials in the optimal antithrombotic management of CAD. The Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study (CADISS) trial found that treatment with AC did not lower the risk of subsequent stroke or death at 3 months when compared to AP agents. This led to a paradigm shift in national guidelines. In 2021, The Biomarkers and Antithrombotic Treatment in of Cervical Artery Dissection (TREAT-CAD) trial however did not confirm the non-inferiority of AP therapy in stroke prevention due to CAD. The optimal antithrombotic management for stroke prevention in CAD remains uncertain, while the superiority of anticoagulation has not been established, nor has the non-inferiority of AP agents. The future direction of research should consider early preventative treatment, dual treatment with AP agents, direct oral AC medications, and aggregation of data from existing randomized trials.

Even though traumatic dissection of cervical arterial vessels is the major cause of stroke among adults, it is still an underdiagnosed disease in neurosurgical emergencies, since most patients do not have or present subtle clinical signs in the acute phase. The authors report two interesting cases of cervical artery dissection with different traumatic mechanisms and present a broad literature review about this subject.

Objective: To report a case of young male with stroke and bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. Background: Cervical Artery Dissection in Stroke Study trial has provided some insight on management of patients with ICA dissection. However, there is a need to modify the management strategies as per specific clinical scenario. Design/Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 45-year-old male presented with 1 month old history of acute onset numbness of right half of the body with slurring of speech. Computed tomography angiography showed complete occlusion of left cervical ICA just beyond origin with presence of fusiform dilatation and spiral flap in right extracranial cervical ICA. The patient was started on antiplatelets and taken for endovascular procedure using 2-mesh-based carotid stents. Patient was discharged after 3 days on antiplatelet therapy. At 1-year follow-up, there were no fresh symptoms. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the role of successful endovascular management of carotid dissection in a young male. These clinical situations may not be fully represented in trials, and a case-based approach is required.

BackgroundFemoral access is the primary route for neurointerventional procedures in children. However, endovascular treatment may not always be possible through a femoral approach, necessitating conversion to alternative access routes.ObjectiveTo review the feasibility and safety of direct carotid puncture (DCP) in infants undergoing neuroendovascular interventions.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of all infants who underwent DCP as the access route to treat neuroendovascular pathologies between January 2011 and January 2021. Patients’ demographics, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and technical details were reviewed.ResultsBetween January 2011 and January 2021, five infants aged between 28 and 150 days underwent DCP out of 1129 neuroendovascular interventions performed in our institution (0.4%). All five infants (100%) were diagnosed with intracranial fistulas and were found to have severe tortuosity of the cervical arteries. DCP was performed as the initial access route in 2/5 patients and as crossover after a failed femoral attempt in 3/5 patients. DCP was performed under ultrasound guidance in all patients. Closure was performed by manual compression, without complications. Ultrasound showed patent cervical vessels in all patients at 3 months’ follow-up.ConclusionDirect carotid access is a feasible and safe alternative route to treat neuroendovascular pathologies in infants and can be considered in cases of inaccessible or failed transfemoral access or in cases with severe arterial tortuosity in infants with intracranial fistulas.

Background and purposeCone-beam CT angiography (CB-CTA) provides a three-dimensional spatial resolution which is, so far, unmatched in clinical practice compared with other conventional techniques such as two-dimensional digital subtracted angiography. We aimed to assess the distribution of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) using CB-CTA.Methods30 consecutive patients with aSAH undergoing vasospasm percutaneous balloon angioplasty (PBA) were recruited and underwent CB-CTA in this single-center prospective cohort series. Intracranial arteries were systematically analyzed by two independent observers from the large trunks to the distal cortical branches and perforators using a high-resolution reconstruction protocol. Intermediate and severe cerebral vasospasm was defined as 30–50% and >50% narrowing in the diameter of the vessel, respectively.Results35 arterial cervical artery territories were analyzed, of which 80% were associated with clinical or radiological signs of delayed cerebral ischemia. The median spatial resolution was 150 µm (range 100–250 µm). Intermediate or severe vasospasm was observed in the proximal (86%, 95% CI 74% to 97%), middle (89%, 95% CI 78% to 99%), and distal (60%, 95% CI 44% to 76%) segments of the large trunks, as well as the cortical branches (11%, 95% CI 1% to 22%). No vasospasm was observed in basal ganglia or cortical perforators, or in arteries smaller than 900 µm. Vasospasm was more severe in middle or distal segments compared with proximal segments in 43% (95% CI 26% to 59%) of cases.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that symptomatic cerebral vasospasm following aSAH did not involve arteries smaller than 900 µm, and frequently predominated in middle or distal segments. These results offer new insights into the potential management options for vasospasm using PBA.

Introduction Cranio-cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a common cause of cerebrovascular events in young subjects with no clear treatment strategy established. We evaluated the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in CeAD patients treated with and without stent placement. Methods COMParative effectiveness of treatment options in cervical Artery diSSection (COMPASS) is a single high-volume center observational, retrospective longitudinal registry that enrolled consecutive CeAD patients over a 2-year period. Patients were ≥ 18 years of age with confirmed extra- or intracranial CeAD on imaging. Enrolled participants were followed for 1 year evaluating MACE as the primary endpoint. Results One-hundred ten patients were enrolled (age 53 ± 15.9, 56% Caucasian, and 50% male, BMI 28.9 ± 9.2). Grade I, II, III, and IV blunt vascular injury was noted in 16%, 33%, 19%, and 32%, respectively. Predisposing factors were noted in the majority (78%), including sneezing, carrying heavy load, chiropractic manipulation. Stent was placed in 10 (10%) subjects (extracranial carotid n = 9; intracranial carotid n = 1; extracranial vertebral n = 1) at the physician's discretion along with medical management. Reasons for stent placement were early development of high-grade stenosis or expanding pseudoaneurysm. Stented patients experienced no procedural or in-hospital complications and no MACE between discharge and 1 year follow up. CeAD patients treated with medical management only had 14% MACE at 1 year. Conclusion In this single high-volume center cohort of CeAD patients, stenting was found to be beneficial, particularly with development of high-grade stenosis or expanding pseudoaneurysm. These results warrant confirmation by a randomized clinical trial.

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) does not provide information about changes in oxygenation in whole-brain areas. Although the branching vessels of the aortic arch are not always easy to identify using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), the blood flow status of cervical arteries can always be assessed by applying an ultrasound probe via the “ultrasound window” on the patient's neck, which can be ensured by devising alternative insertion approaches of the central venous catheter. This method is very simple but compensates for the limitations of the combination of NIRS and TEE, especially during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass management using selective cerebral perfusion.

Background: Safe practice is important for patients with neck pain, with the potential for injury to cervical arteries. Cervical manipulation or end range techniques/positions may place considerable strain on the arteries. Altered integrity of the arterial wall may render them more susceptible to minor trauma, particularly in the upper cervical region. Screening of blood flow velocity is limited for predicting those at risk. Examining properties of the cervical arterial wall (stiffness characteristics) and their response to head movement may provide an alternate measure of arterial susceptibility. Objectives: To investigate whether shear wave ultrasound elastography can detect any changes in internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral (VA) arterial wall stiffness in neutral compared with contralateral head rotation. Design: Observational study Methods: Shear wave ultrasound elastography was used to measure the stiffness of the ICA and VA. Shear wave velocity (m/s), indicative of arterial stiffness, was measured in both arteries proximally (C3–4) and distally (C1–2) in neutral and contralateral head rotation as were intimal thickness (mm) and flow velocity (cm/s). Results: Thirty participants (20–62 years) were successfully imaged. The VA was stiffer than ICA and it became significantly stiffer in contralateral rotation (p = 0.05). The ICA became significantly less stiff (p = 0.01). Effects were more apparent at C1–2 but significant in the ICA only (p = 0.03). Flow velocity and intimal thickness were unchanged in rotation. Conclusions: Changes in VA and ICA arterial wall stiffness can be measured with shear wave ultrasound elastography. This measure may ultimately help identify arteries with greater vulnerability to rotational stresses.

PHACE syndrome (OMIM 606519) is a rare neurocutaneous vascular disorder, characterized by posterior fossa malformations, large cervicofacial infantile hemangiomas, arterial anomalies, aortic coarctation, cardiac abnormalities, and eye abnormalities. The long-term outcome of PHACE syndrome patients is unclear; however, it seems that they are at risk for childhood stroke. The radiologist has an important role on diagnosis of PHACE syndrome and in the assessment of potential complications. Investigation of infants with segmental craniofacial hemangiomas should include cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the cerebral and cervical arteries. Brain MRI and MRA findings of a 5-year-old female patient with PHACE syndrome are presented.

Abstract: Cervical artery dissection is a common cause of stroke in young adults. It might occur shortly after a forceful neck trauma or a minor injury. However, spontaneous dissection is also common, which is associated with genetic, anatomical or environmental risk factors. Cervical artery dissection can produce a broad spectrum of clinical presentation varying from local symptoms to focal neurological deficits determined by the arterial territory involved. Early recognition is important since immediate initiation of treatment can significantly improve patient outcomes. While clinical features may raise suspicion for dissection, the diagnosis has to be confirmed by neuroimaging findings. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview on cervical (carotid and vertebral) artery dissections while presenting 19 cases. During three years, we evaluated the clinical features, risk factors, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of these patients admitted with extracranial artery dissection. The prognosis of the disease can vary, 42% of our patients became asymptomatic. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(22): 861–868.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Because of their potential to alter the integrity of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix, fluoroquinolone antibiotics might be involved in the pathogenesis of spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCeAD). METHODS In the setting of a single-centre case-control study, whether fluoroquinolone use in the 30-day period before the index event is associated with sCeAD (cases) in comparison with a group of age- and sex-matched patients who suffered a first-ever acute cerebral infarction from a cause other than CeAD (non-CeAD IS, controls) was assessed. RESULTS Overall, 284 cases (mean age 43.2 ± 10.4 years; 58.5% men) and 568 controls qualified for the analysis. Thirty (10.6%) patients in the sCeAD group and 16 (2.8%) in the non-CeAD IS group were fluoroquinolone users (P ≤ 0.001). The use of these antibiotics was associated with a more than two-fold increased risk of sCeAD [odds ratio (OR) 2.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-5.30] after adjusting for confounders. The risk was more substantial in the subgroup of patients with dissection involving the carotid artery (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.14-6.78), in females (OR 4.58; 95% CI 1.04-20.1) and compared to that conferred by other antibiotics (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.02-5.75). CONCLUSIONS Fluoroquinolones may represent a novel contributing factor involved in the pathogenesis of sCeAD.

Cervical artery dissection refers to a tear in the internal carotid or the vertebral artery that results in an intramural haematoma and/or an aneurysmal dilatation. Although cervical artery dissection is thought to occur spontaneously, physical trauma to the neck, especially hyperextension and rotation, has been reported as a trigger. Headache and/or neck pain is the most common initial symptom of cervical artery dissection. Other symptoms include Horner’s syndrome and lower cranial nerve palsy. Both headache and/or neck pain are common symptoms and leading causes of disability, while cervical artery dissection is rare. Patients often consult their general practitioner for headache and/or neck pain, and because manual-therapy interventions can alleviate headache and/or neck pain, many patients seek manual therapists, such as chiropractors and physiotherapists. Cervical mobilization and manipulation are two interventions that manual therapists use. Both interventions have been suspected of being able to trigger cervical artery dissection as an adverse event. The aim of this review is to provide an updated step-by-step risk–benefit assessment strategy regarding manual therapy and to provide tools for clinicians to exclude cervical artery dissection. Key messagesCervical mobilization and/or manipulation have been suspected to be able to trigger cervical artery dissection (CAD). However, these assumptions are based on case studies which are unable to established direct causality.The concern relates to the chicken and the egg discussion, i.e. whether the CAD symptoms lead the patient to seek cervical manual-therapy or whether the cervical manual-therapy provoked CAD along with the non-CAD presenting complaint.Thus, instead of proving a nearly impossible causality hypothesis, this study provide clinicians with an updated step-by-step risk–benefit assessment strategy tool to (a) facilitate clinicians understanding of CAD, (b) appraise the risk and applicability of cervical manual-therapy, and (c) provide clinicians with adequate tools to better detect and exclude CAD in clinical settings.

Background Limited observational data are available on endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke due to cervical artery dissection. Three studies comparing endovascular treatment with standard medical therapy or intravenous thrombolysis in cervical artery dissection-related acute ischemic stroke did not demonstrate superiority of endovascular treatment. Efficacy and the choice of endovascular treatment technique in this setting remain to be established. Aims To assess the potential efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment compared to intravenous thrombolysis alone or to no revascularization treatment in our center. Methods We selected all consecutive patients with cervical artery dissection-related acute ischemic stroke and intracranial occlusion from the Acute STroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne between 2003 and 2017. We compared clinical and neuroimaging data of patients treated by endovascular treatment versus patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis or patients without revascularization treatment. Safety analysis included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, major radiological hemorrhages (parenchymal hematoma 1, parenchymal hematoma 2, and subarachnoid hemorrhage) and mortality within seven days. We assessed favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2) at three months using a binary logistic regression model. Results Of the 109 patients included, 24 had endovascular treatment, 38 received intravenous thrombolysis alone, and 47 had no revascularization treatment. Endovascular treatment patients had a higher rate of recanalization at 24 h. Major radiological hemorrhages occurred more often in endovascular treatment patients (all with bridging therapy) than in patients without revascularization treatment (p = 0.026), with no differences in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or mortality within seven days. Favorable clinical outcome at three months did not differ between groups (endovascular treatment versus intravenous thrombolysis p = 0.407; endovascular treatment versus no revascularization treatment p = 0.580). Conclusions In this single-center cohort of cervical artery dissection-related acute ischemic stroke with intracranial occlusion, endovascular treatment with prior intravenous thrombolysis may increase the risk of major radiological but not symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. Despite the lack of clear superiority in our cohort, endovascular treatment should currently not be withheld in these patients.

Introduction Symptomatic dissections (SD) of cervical arteries are still a therapeutic problem. Although endovascular management (EM) is currently a preferred method of treatment of SD, complications associated with this method of treatment in published reports are quite frequent (3-16%). Aim In this retrospective study we analyzed the results of EM with novel, double-mesh stent and protection systems (PS) for SD of the internal carotid (IC) or vertebral arteries (VA) that coexisted with hemodynamically significant stenosis or aneurysmatic dilatation of the dissected artery. Material and methods We evaluated the results of EM in 19 patients (men 15, median age: 55, range: 25-83), presenting with SD of the IC or VA with coexisting stenosis and/or aneurysmatic dilatation of the artery in segments C1-C5 of IC or V0-V4 of VA. Twelve patients had a stroke, 6 TIA, and 3 patients a headache and/or a neck pain with Horner syndrome. Stents and PS were tailored according to the location, length of dissection and coexisting stenotic or aneurysmatic lesions. Results There were no new strokes, in-hospital deaths or other serious morbidities during the procedure and postprocedural hospital stay. There were no fatalities during 6-40 months of follow-up. In control angiographies performed after interventions all patients demonstrated a patent target artery, complete coverage of the dissection and aneurysm by stents and no new lesions in the area of the previous dissection. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that EM of SD of IC and VA with the new stents and PS is safe and effective with good early and midterm results.

Background Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a frequent manifestation of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). However, risk factors for CeAD are unknown. We investigated factors associated with CeAD in the ARCADIA (Assessment of Renal and Cervical Artery Dysplasia) registry. Methods and Results The ARCADIA registry includes women or men aged ≥18 years, with a diagnosis of renal, cervical, or intracranial artery FMD, who were prospectively recruited at 16 university hospitals in France and Belgium. Diagnosis of acute or past CeAD at inclusion was established on imaging according to standard diagnostic criteria. Associations between potential determinants and CeAD were assessed by logistic regression analyses. Among 469 patients (75 men) with FMD, 65 (13.9%) had CeAD. Patients with CeAD were younger, more likely to be men, have a history of migraine, and less likely to have a history of hypertension than patients without CeAD. In the multivariable analysis, male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.66; 95% CI, 1.34–5.25), history of migraine (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.06–3.39), age ≥50 years (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23–0.73), history of hypertension (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.20–0.64), and involvement of ≥3 vascular beds (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.15–5.40) were significantly associated with CeAD. To validate the association between CeAD and sex, we performed a systematic review. We collected additional data on sex from 2 published studies and unpublished data from the US Registry for Fibromuscular Dysplasia and the European/International FMD Registry. In the pooled analysis (289 CeAD, 1933 patients), male sex was significantly associated with CeAD (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.41–2.95; I 2 =0%). Conclusions In patients with FMD, male sex and multisite involvement are associated with CeAD, in addition to other previously known risk factors. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT02884141.

Background Stratification of cardiovascular risk in patients with ischemic stroke is important as it may inform management strategies. We aimed to develop a machine-learning-derived prognostic model for the prediction of cardiovascular risk in ischemic stroke patients. Materials and Methods Two prospective stroke registries with consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients were used as training/validation and test datasets. The outcome assessed was major adverse cardiovascular event, defined as non-fatal stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death during 2-year follow-up. The variables selection was performed with the LASSO technique. The algorithms XGBoost (Extreme Gradient Boosting), Random Forest and Support Vector Machines were selected according to their performance. The evaluation of the classifier was performed by bootstrapping the dataset 1000 times and performing cross-validation by splitting in 60% for the training samples and 40% for the validation samples. Results The model included age, gender, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, arterial hypertension, statin treatment before stroke onset, prior anticoagulant treatment (in case of atrial fibrillation), creatinine, cervical artery stenosis, anticoagulant treatment at discharge (in case of atrial fibrillation), and statin treatment at discharge. The best accuracy was measured by the XGBoost classifier. In the validation dataset, the area under the curve was 0.648 (95%CI:0.619–0.675) and the balanced accuracy was 0.58 ± 0.14. In the test dataset, the corresponding values were 0.59 and 0.576. Conclusions We propose an externally validated machine-learning-derived model which includes readily available parameters and can be used for the estimation of cardiovascular risk in ischemic stroke patients.

Background and Purpose: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder because of pathogenic variants in the COL3A1 gene. Arterial complications can affect all anatomic areas and about 25% involve supra-aortic trunks (SATs) but no systematic assessment of cervical artery lesions has been made. The primary objective was to determine an accurate prevalence of spontaneous SAT lesions in a large series of patients with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at diagnosis and during follow-up. Secondary objectives were to study their neurological consequences (transient ischemic attack or stroke) and the possible relationships with sex, genotype, ascertainment status. Methods: A retrospective review of a monocentric cohort of patients with molecularly proven vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome followed in a tertiary referral center from 2000 to 2017. Results: One hundred forty-four patients were analyzed, 56.9% (n=82) had SAT lesions: 64.6% females, 74.4% index-case patients. Most lesions were identified in early arterial assessment (48% at first work-up, mean age of 35.7±13.0 years). Cumulative incidence of a first identification of a SAT lesion was 41.7% at 40 years old. On the complete period of survey, 183 SAT lesions (with 132 dissections and 33 aneurysms) were identified, mainly in internal carotid arteries (56.3%) and vertebral arteries (28.9%), more rarely in patients with COL3A1 null mutations ( P =0.008). Transient ischemic attack or stroke were reported in n=16 (19.5%) of the 82 patients with SAT lesions without relation with age, sex, treatment, or hypertension. Conclusions: Cervical artery lesions are frequent and mostly asymptomatic in patients with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Local dissections and aneurysms are the most frequent type of lesions, but transient ischemic attack or stroke seem rare.

Background: Cervical artery dissection (CAD) often affects young, otherwise healthy people. Few data exist on whether patients with CAD face an increased vulnerability to aortic dissection. Herein we tested the hypothesis that CAD is associated with an increased risk of aortic dissection. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using statewide administrative claims data from all Emergency Department visits and admissions at nonfederal hospitals in Florida from 2005 to 2015 and New York from 2006 to 2015. We used previously validated International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes (ICD-9-CM) to identify patients with CAD and aortic dissection. Patients with prevalent aortic dissection were excluded. Our exposure variable was CAD and the outcome was incident aortic dissection after discharge from CAD hospitalization. Survival statistics were used to calculate incidence rates and Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine the association between CAD and aortic dissection while adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors. In a secondary analysis, we excluded patients who had a traumatic CAD, defined as having concomitant ICD-9-CM codes for head or neck trauma at the time of CAD. Results: Among 19,715,114 patients, 4,537 (0.02%) had a CAD. The mean age of patients with CAD was 52.3±16.4 years. During 4.2±3.1 years of follow up, 16,571 patients were diagnosed with an aortic dissection (0.08%). The incidence of aortic dissection was 2.5 (95% CI, 1.7-3.7) per 1,000 patients per year in those with CAD versus 0.2 (95% CI, 0.2-0.2) per 1,000 patients per year in those without CAD. After adjustment for demographics and vascular risk factors, we found that CAD was associated with subsequent aortic dissection (HR 3.0, 95% CI, 2.1-4.5). Our results were similar in a secondary analysis excluding patients with traumatic CAD (HR 3.3, 95% CI, 2.2-4.8). Conclusions: In a large population-based cohort, we found that CAD was associated with a 3-fold increased risk of aortic dissection. Future studies should evaluate the utility of performing screening aortic imaging in patients with CAD.

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a pathological bleed or tear, or both, in the wall of the carotid or vertebral arteries as they course through the neck, and is a leading cause of stroke in young people.To assess the effectiveness of surgical and radiological interventions versus best medical treatment alone for treating symptomatic cervical artery dissection.We performed comprehensive searches of the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched March 2020), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), 2020, Issue 4, in the Cochrane Library (searched March 2020), MEDLINE (1946 to March 2020) and Embase (1974 to March 2020). We searched relevant ongoing trials and research registers (searched March 2020), checked references in all relevant papers for additional eligible studies, and contacted authors and researchers in the field.Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of either surgical or endovascular intervention for the management of symptomatic CeAD were eligible for inclusion. Only studies with anticoagulants or antiplatelet treatment as the control group were included. Two review authors planned to independently extract data.Primary outcomes were ipsilateral stroke and disability. Secondary outcomes were death, any stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, residual stenosis (50%), recurrence of cervical dissection, expanding pseudoaneurysm, or major bleeding. We analysed the studies according to the first choice of treatment. We planned to assess for risk of bias and apply GRADE criteria for any included studies.We did not find any completed RCTs or CCTs undertaken in this area of research.No RCTs or CCTs compared either surgery or endovascular therapy with control. Thus, there is no available evidence to support their use for the treatment of extracranial cervical artery dissection in addition to antithrombotic therapy in people who continue to have neurological symptoms when treated with antithrombotic therapy alone.پیشینه: دایسکسیون شریان گردنی (cervical artery dissection; CeAD)، خونریزی یا پارگی پاتولوژیک، یا هر دو، در دیواره شریان‌های کاروتید یا ورتبرال است که از گردن عبور می‌کنند، و دلیل اصلی سکته مغزی در جوانان محسوب می‌شوند. اهداف: ارزیابی اثربخشی مداخلات جراحی و رادیولوژیکی در برابر بهترین درمان دارویی به‌تنهایی برای درمان دایسکسیون علامت‌دار شریان گردنی. روش‌های جست‌وجو: جست‌وجوهای جامعی را در پایگاه ثبت کارآزمایی‌های گروه استروک در کاکرین (که آخرین‌بار در مارچ 2020 جست‌وجو شد)؛ پایگاه ثبت مرکزی کارآزمایی‌های کنترل شده کاکرین (CENTRAL)، شماره 4؛ سال 2020، در کتابخانه کاکرین (در مارچ 2020 جست‌وجو شد)؛ MEDLINE (1946 تا مارچ 2020) و Embase (1974 تا مارچ 2020) انجام دادیم. کارآزمایی‌های در حال انجام مرتبط و پایگاه‌های ثبت پژوهش را جست‌وجو کردیم (در مارچ 2020)، منابع را در تمام مقالات مرتبط برای یافتن مطالعات واجد شرایط بیشتر بررسی کردیم، و با نویسندگان و محققان در این زمینه تماس گرفتیم. معیارهای انتخاب: کارآزمایی‌های تصادفی‌سازی و کنترل شده (randomised controlled trials; RCTs) و کارآزمایی‌های بالینی کنترل شده (controlled clinical trials; CCTs) از مداخله جراحی یا اندوواسکولار برای مدیریت CeAD علامت‌دار برای ورود واجد شرایط بودند. فقط مطالعات انجام شده با درمان آنتی‌کوآگولانت‌ها یا آنتی‌پلاکت به‌عنوان گروه کنترل وارد شدند. دو نویسنده مستقل از هم به استخراج داده‌ها پرداختند. گردآوری و تجزیه‌وتحلیل داده‌ها: پیامدهای اولیه سکته مغزی یک‐‌طرفه و ناتوانی بودند. پیامدهای ثانویه عبارت بودند از مرگ‌ومیر، هرگونه سکته مغزی، یا حمله ایسکمیک گذرا، تنگی باقیمانده (50%)، عود دایسکسیون گردنی، گسترش آنوریسم کاذب (pseudoaneurysm)، یا خونریزی ماژور. مطالعات را با توجه به اولین انتخاب درمان تجزیه‌وتحلیل کردیم. برای ارزیابی خطر سوگیری (bias) برنامه‌ریزی کردیم و معیار درجه‌‏بندی توصیه‏، ارزیابی، توسعه و ارزشیابی (GRADE) را برای هر مطالعه وارد شده به کار بردیم. نتایج اصلی: هیچ RCT یا CCT کامل ‌شده‌ای را در این زمینه پژوهشی پیدا نکردیم. نتیجه‌گیری‌های نویسندگان: هیچ RCT یا CCT به مقایسه جراحی یا درمان اندوواسکولار با کنترل نپرداخت. بنابراین، هیچ شواهدی وجود ندارد که بتوان بر اساس آنها از استفاده از این درمان‌ها برای درمان دایسکسیون شریان گردنی خارج جمجمه‌ای به همراه درمان آنتی‌ترومبوتیک در افرادی که با وجود درمان با داروهای آنتی‌ترومبوتیک به‌تنهایی، هم‌چنان نشانه‌های عصبی (نورولوژیکی) دارند، حمایت کرد.บทนำ: การฉีกเซาะของผนังหลอดเลือดแดงที่คอ (Cervical artery dissection; CeAD) คือ การเกิดเลือดออกหรือฉีกขาดหรือทั้งสองอย่างในผนังของหลอดเลือดแดง carotid หรือ vertebral ที่อยู่บริเวณลำคอ และเป็นสาเหตุสำคัญของโรคหลอดเลือดสมองในคนอายุน้อย วัตถุประสงค์: เพื่อประเมินประสิทธิผลของการผ่าตัดและการสวนหลอดเลือดเทียบกับการให้ยาที่ดีที่สุดเพียงอย่างเดียวสำหรับการรักษาภาวะการฉีกเซาะของผนังหลอดเลือดแดงที่คอที่มีอาการ วิธีการสืบค้น: ผู้วิจัยทำการสืบค้นอย่างครอบคลุมใน Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (สืบค้นครั้งล่าสุดในเดือนมีนาคม 2020), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), 2020, Issue 4, ใน Cochrane Library (สืบค้นเมื่อมีนาคม 2020), MEDLINE (1946 ถึงมีนาคม 2020) และ Embase (1974 ถึงมีนาคม 2020) นอกจากนี้ยังค้นหาการทดลองที่เกี่ยวข้องที่กำลังดำเนินการอยู่และแบบลงทะเบียนการวิจัย (สืบค้นเมื่อมีนาคม 2020), ตรวจสอบรายการอ้างอิงในการศึกษาที่เกี่ยวข้องทั้งหมดเพื่อหาการศึกษาที่เข้าเกณฑ์เพิ่มเติม และติดต่อผู้เขียนและนักวิจัยในสาขานั้น เกณฑ์การคัดเลือก: การศึกษาที่เข้าเกณฑ์คัดเลือกคือ การทดลองแบบ randomised controlled trials (RCTs) และ controlled clinical trials (CCTs) ของการผ่าตัดหรือการสวนหลอดเลือดสำหรับการรักษา CeAD ที่มีอาการ และสนใจเฉพาะการศึกษาที่มีกลุ่มควบคุมเป็นการให้ยาต้านการแข็งตัวของเลือดหรือยาต้านเกล็ดเลือด ผู้ทบทวนววรณกรรม 2 คนต่างดึงข้อมูลอย่างเป็นอิสระต่อกัน การรวบรวมและวิเคราะห์ข้อมูล: ผลลัพธ์หลัก ได้แก่ โรคหลอดเลือดสมองในข้างที่มีพยาธิสภาพของหลอดเลือด และภาวะทุพพลภาพ ผลลัพธ์รอง ได้แก่ การเสียชีวิต, โรคหลอดเลือดสมองใดๆ, หรือภาวะ transient ischaemic attack, การตีบของหลอดเลือดที่เหลืออยู่ (50%), การกลับเป็นซ้ำของการฉีกเซาะของหลอดเลือด, expanding pseudoaneurysm, หรือการมีเลือดออกที่รุนแรง ผู้วิจัยได้วิเคราะห์การศึกษาตามตัวเลือกแรกของการรักษา และวางแผนที่จะประเมินความเสี่ยงของอคติและใช้เกณฑ์ GRADE สำหรับการศึกษาใดๆ ที่นำมาประเมิน ผลการวิจัย: ผู้วิจัยไม่พบ RCT หรือ CCT ที่สมบูรณ์ที่ศึกษาในหัวข้อการวิจัยนี้ ข้อสรุปของผู้วิจัย: ไม่มี RCTs หรือ CCTs ที่เปรียบเทียบการผ่าตัดหรือการสวนหลอดเลือดกับการรักษามาตรฐาน ดังนั้น จึงยังไม่มีหลักฐานสนับสนุนการใช้วิธีดังกล่าวในการรักษาภาวะการฉีกเซาะของผนังหลอดเลือดแดงที่คอเพิ่มเติมจากการให้ยาต้านเกร็ดเลือดในผู้ที่ยังคงมีอาการทางระบบประสาทเมื่อได้รับยาต้านเกร็ดเลือดเพียงอย่างเดียว.La dissection des artères cervicales (DAC) est un saignement ou une déchirure pathologique, ou les deux, dans la paroi des artères carotides ou vertébrales lorsqu'elles traversent le cou, et est une cause majeure d'accident vasculaire cérébral chez les jeunes.Évaluer l'efficacité des interventions chirurgicales et radiologiques par rapport au meilleur traitement médical seul pour traiter la dissection symptomatique des artères cervicales. STRATÉGIE DE RECHERCHE DOCUMENTAIRE: Nous avons effectué des recherches exhaustives dans le registre des essais du groupe Cochrane sur les accidents vasculaires cérébraux (dernière recherche en mars 2020), dans le registre Cochrane des essais contrôlés (CENTRAL), 2020, numéro 4, dans la Bibliothèque Cochrane (recherche en mars 2020), dans MEDLINE (1946 à mars 2020) et dans Embase (1974 à mars 2020). Nous avons recherché les essais pertinents en cours et les registres de recherche (recherche effectuée en mars 2020), vérifié les références dans tous les documents pertinents pour des études supplémentaires admissibles et contacté les auteurs et les chercheurs dans le domaine. CRITÈRES DE SÉLECTION: Les essais contrôlés randomisés (ECR) et les essais cliniques contrôlés (ECC) portant sur une intervention chirurgicale ou endovasculaire pour la prise en charge des DAC symptomatiques étaient éligibles. Seules les études avec des anticoagulants ou un traitement antiagrégant plaquettaire comme groupe de contrôle ont été incluses. Deux auteurs de la revue ont prévu d'extraire les données de manière indépendante. RECUEIL ET ANALYSE DES DONNÉES: Les critères de jugement principaux sont l'accident vasculaire cérébral ipsilatéral et le handicap. Les critères de jugement secondaires étaient le décès, tout accident vasculaire cérébral ou accident ischémique transitoire, une sténose résiduelle (50 %), la récurrence de la dissection de l’artère cervicale, un pseudo‐anévrisme en expansion ou une hémorragie importante. Nous avons analysé les études en fonction du premier choix de traitement. Nous avons prévu d'évaluer le risque de biais et d'appliquer les critères GRADE pour toutes les études incluses. RÉSULTATS PRINCIPAUX: Nous n'avons pas trouvé d’ECR achevé ou d’ECC entrepris dans ce domaine de recherche.Aucun ECR ou ECC n'a comparé la chirurgie ou la thérapie endovasculaire avec un groupe témoin. Ainsi, il n'existe pas de données probantes disponibles pour soutenir leur utilisation pour le traitement de la dissection des artères cervicales extracrâniennes en plus de la thérapie antithrombotique chez les personnes qui continuent à avoir des symptômes neurologiques lorsqu'elles sont traitées avec une thérapie antithrombotique seule.La disección arterial cervical (DAC) es una hemorragia o un desgarro patológicos, o ambos, en la pared de las arterias carótidas o vertebrales en su recorrido por el cuello, y es una de las principales causas de accidente cerebrovascular en los jóvenes.Evaluar la efectividad de las intervenciones quirúrgicas y radiológicas versus el mejor tratamiento médico solo para tratar la disección sintomática arterial cervical. MÉTODOS DE BÚSQUEDA: Se hicieron búsquedas exhaustivas en el Registro de ensayos del Grupo Cochrane de Accidentes cerebrovasculares (Cochrane Stroke Group) (última búsqueda en marzo de 2020), el Registro Cochrane central de ensayos controlados (CENTRAL, número 4, 2020), en la Biblioteca Cochrane (búsqueda en marzo de 2020), MEDLINE (1946 hasta marzo de 2020), EMBASE (1974 hasta marzo de 2020). Se realizaron búsquedas de registros relevantes de ensayos en curso y de investigación (búsquedas en marzo de 2020), se comprobaron las referencias de todos los artículos relevantes en busca de otros estudios elegibles y se estableció contacto con los autores e investigadores en el área. CRITERIOS DE SELECCIÓN: Se seleccionaron para inclusión los ensayos controlados aleatorizados (ECA) y los ensayos clínicos controlados (ECC) de intervención endovascular o quirúrgica para el tratamiento de la DAC sintomática. Sólo se incluyeron los estudios con tratamiento anticoagulante o antiplaquetario como grupo control. Dos autores de la revisión planificaron extraer de forma independiente los datos. OBTENCIÓN Y ANÁLISIS DE LOS DATOS: Los desenlaces principales fueron el accidente cerebrovascular ipsilateral y la discapacidad. Los desenlaces secundarios fueron la muerte, cualquier accidente cerebrovascular o ataque isquémico transitorio, estenosis residual (50%), reaparición de la disección cervical, expansión del pseudoaneurisma o hemorragia grave. Los estudios se analizaron según el tratamiento de primera elección. Se planificó evaluar el riesgo de sesgo y aplicar los criterios GRADE a los estudios incluidos.No se encontraron ECA ni ECC completados realizados en esta área de investigación.Ningún ECA o ECC comparó la cirugía o el tratamiento endovascular con un control. Por lo tanto, no hay evidencia disponible que respalde su uso para el tratamiento de la disección arterial cervical extracraneal además del tratamiento antitrombótico en personas que continúan con síntomas neurológicos cuando sólo reciben tratamiento antitrombótico.

The purpose of this study was to verify whether carotid ultrasonography (CUS) findings could be associated with the occurrence of perioperative stroke after thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) treatment. Patients with TAAs who were treated by either total arch replacement or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) were retrospectively enrolled. Left subclavian artery (LSA) embolization and bypass surgery of the left common carotid artery (CCA) to the LSA before TEVAR were additionally performed for some patients. CUS was performed before TAA treatment to evaluate carotid atherosclerosis and flow velocities of bilateral cervical arteries. After dividing patients into those with and without perioperative stroke, their background, atherosclerotic risk factors, history of stroke, TAA location and size, treatment procedures, and CUS parameters were compared between the two groups. Of the 60 patients (18 women, 42 men; mean age 73.5 ± 10.2 years) with TAA, four (7.5%) developed perioperative stroke. There were no significant differences in the patients’ characteristics and their TAAs between those with and without perioperative stroke. For the CUS parameters, end-diastolic velocity (EDV) of bilateral CCAs was significantly decreased in perioperative stroke patients (with vs without stroke; right: 9.2 ± 1.8 vs. 14.5 ± 4.6 cm/s, P = 0.025, left: 9.1 ± 0.3 vs. 15.0 ± 4.5 cm/s, P = 0.012), whereas the resistance index (RI) of bilateral CCAs was significantly elevated (right: 0.76 vs. 0.87, P = 0.008, left: 0.76 vs. 0.87, P

Dissections and aneurysms are two of the more common nonatherosclerotic arteriopathies of the cerebrovascular system and a significant contributor to neurovascular complications, particularly in the young. Specifically, ruptured intracranial aneurysms (IA) account for nearly 500,000 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage annually with a 30-day mortality approaching 40% and survivors suffering often permanent neurologic deficits and disability. Unruptured IAs require dedicated assessment of risk and often warrant serial radiologic monitoring. Cervical artery dissection, affecting the carotid and vertebral arteries, accounts for nearly 20% of strokes in young and middle-aged adults. While approximately 70% of cervical artery dissection (CeAD) cases present with stroke or TIA, additional neurologic complications include severe headache and neck pain, oculosympathetic defect (i.e., partial Horner's syndrome), acute vestibular syndrome, and rarely lower cranial nerve palsies. Both aneurysms and dissections of the cerebrovascular system may occur frequently in patients with syndromic connective tissue disorders; however, the majority of cases are spontaneously occurring or mildly heritable with both polygenic and environmental associations. Fibromuscular dysplasia, in particular, is commonly associated with both risk of CeAD and IA formation. Further research is needed to better understand the pathophysiology of both IA and CeAD to better understand risk, improve treatments, and prevent devastating neurologic complications.

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a frequent cause of stroke in young adults. Previous studies investigating the efficiency of anticoagulation (AC) versus antiplatelet therapy (AT) found an insignificant difference. We therefore retrospectively evaluated a combination of AC plus AT in patients with acute CAD regarding safety and efficacy. Twenty-eight patients with CAD and minor neurological symptoms/no major infarction received either single (n = 14) or dual AT (n = 14) combined with AC. Angiographic follow-up during hospitalization, 4-8 weeks and 3–6 months after CAD focused on occlusion, residual stenosis, and functional recanalization. Possible adverse events were surveyed. We compared the AC plus AT group to 22 patients with acute CAD treated with AC or AT. Compared to preceding AC-/AT-only studies, AC plus single or dual AT resulted in more frequent, faster recanalization. Frequency and severity of adverse events was comparable. No major adverse events or death occurred. Preceding works on conservative treatment of CAD are discussed and compared to this study. Considerations are given to pathophysiology and the dynamic of CAD. Combining AC plus AT in CAD may result in more reliable recanalization in a shorter time. The risk for adverse events appears similar to treatment with only AC or AT.

Circle of Willis (CoW) is the most critical collateral pathway that supports the redistribution of blood supply in the brain. The variation of CoW is closely correlated with cerebral hemodynamic and cerebral vessel-related diseases. But what is responsible for CoW variation remains unclear. Moreover, the visual evaluation for CoW variation is highly time-consuming. In the present study, based on the computer tomography angiography (CTA) dataset from 255 patients, the correlation between the CoW variations with age, gender, and cerebral or cervical artery stenosis was investigated. A multitask convolutional neural network (CNN) was used to segment cerebral arteries automatically. The results showed the prevalence of variation of the anterior communicating artery (Aco) was higher in the normal senior group than in the normal young group and in females than in males. The changes in the prevalence of variations of individual segments were not demonstrated in the population with stenosis of the afferent and efferent arteries, so the critical factors for variation are related to genetic or physiological factors rather than pathological lesions. Using the multitask CNN model, complete cerebral and cervical arteries could be segmented and reconstructed in 120 seconds, and an average Dice coefficient of 78.2% was achieved. The segmentation accuracy for precommunicating part of anterior cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery, the posterior communicating arteries, and Aco in CoW was 100%, 99.2%, 94%, and 69%, respectively. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be considered as an adjunct tool for detecting the CoW, particularly related to reducing workload and improving the accuracy of the visual evaluation. The study will serve as a basis for the following research to determine an individual’s risk of stroke with the aid of AI.

Background and Purpose: Observational studies have suggested a link between fibromuscular dysplasia and spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCeAD). However, whether patients with coexistence of the two conditions have distinctive clinical characteristics has not been extensively investigated. Methods: In a cohort of consecutive patients with first-ever sCeAD, enrolled in the setting of the multicenter IPSYS CeAD study (Italian Project on Stroke in Young Adults Cervical Artery Dissection) between January 2000 and June 2019, we compared demographic and clinical characteristics, risk factor profile, vascular pathology, and midterm outcome of patients with coexistent cerebrovascular fibromuscular dysplasia (cFMD; cFMD+) with those of patients without cFMD (cFMD–). Results: A total of 1283 sCeAD patients (mean age, 47.8±11.4 years; women, 545 [42.5%]) qualified for the analysis, of whom 103 (8.0%) were diagnosed with cFMD+. In multivariable analysis, history of migraine (odds ratio, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.13–2.79]), the presence of intracranial aneurysms (odds ratio, 8.71 [95% CI, 4.06–18.68]), and the occurrence of minor traumas before the event (odds ratio, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.26–0.89]) were associated with cFMD. After a median follow-up of 34.0 months (25th to 75th percentile, 60.0), 39 (3.3%) patients had recurrent sCeAD events. cFMD+ and history of migraine predicted independently the risk of recurrent sCeAD (hazard ratio, 3.40 [95% CI, 1.58–7.31] and 2.07 [95% CI, 1.06–4.03], respectively) in multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. Conclusions: Risk factor profile of sCeAD patients with cFMD differs from that of patients without cFMD. cFMD and migraine are independent predictors of midterm risk of sCeAD recurrence.

International audience; Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) occurring in the context of sports is a matter of concern for CeAD patients. They seek advice on the role of sports in CeAD and on the safety of resuming sports after CeAD. The scarcity of studies and guidelines addressing these issues poses a challenge. We aimed at summarizing the current knowledge about CeAD and sports in order to provide an informed, comprehensive opinion for counseling CeAD patients. We took into account pathophysiological considerations, observations of cases reports, series, and registries, and conclusions by analogy from aortic dissection or inherited connective tissue syndromes. In summary, practicing active sports as the cause of CeAD seems uncommon. It seems recommendable to refrain from any kind of sports activities for at least 1 month, which can be extended in case of an unfavorable clinical or neurovascular course. We recommend starting with sport activities at low intensity-preferably with types of endurance sports-and to gradually increase the pace in an individually tailored manner, taking into circumstances of the occurrences of the CeAD in the individual patient (particularly in relation to sports), the meaning of sports activities for the individual well-being, the presence or absence of comorbidities and of neurological sequela, neurovascular findings, and whether there are signs of an underlying connective tissue alteration. Major limitations and several forms of bias are acknowledged. Still, in the absence of any better data, the summarized observations and considerations might help clinicians in advising and counseling patients with CeAD in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about associations between spontaneous coronary artery dissection and cervical artery abnormalities. This study sought to assess the prevalence of cervical artery abnormalities among patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was completed of patients who underwent CTA neck imaging as part of arterial assessment following the diagnosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The internal carotid and vertebral arteries were evaluated for the presence of fibromuscular dysplasia, dissection and/or pseudoaneurysm, ectasia and/or aneurysmal dilation, atherosclerosis, and webs. Carotid tortuosity was categorized into kinks, loops, coils, and retrojugular and/or retropharyngeal carotid courses; vertebral tortuosity was classified by subjective analysis of severity. RESULTS: Two hundred fourteen patients were included in the final cohort, of whom 205 (95.8%) were women; the average age was 54.4 years. Fibromuscular dysplasia was the most frequently observed abnormality (83 patients; 38.8%), followed by dissections and/or pseudoaneurysms (n = 28; 13.1%), ectasia and/or aneurysmal dilation (n = 22; 10.3%), and carotid webs (n = 10; 4.7%). At least 1 type of carotid tortuosity was present in 99 patients (46.3%). The majority (n = 185; 86.4%) of patients had no carotid atherosclerosis; and 26 (12.2%) had mild; 3 (1.4%), moderate; and 0, severe carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSIONS: The most common abnormality in the cervical artery vasculature of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection is fibromuscular dysplasia. Cervical dissections were higher than previously reported but were not observed in most patients.

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is the most common cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged adults. Over the last decade, a relation between CeAD and fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), an idiopathic, segmental, non-atherosclerotic and non-inflammatory arterial disease, has been suggested based on a number of epidemiologic observations, while preliminary data support the idea that the two conditions may share common biologic mechanisms. In this article, we review the literature on the relation between CeAD and FMD, focus on the potential pathogenetic mechanisms common to the two conditions, summarize clinical features, management and outcome, and provide support to the hypothesis that the coexistence of the two diseases in one individual might be conceptualized as a distinct non-atherosclerotic non-inflammatory arteriopathy.

Cervico-cranial arterial dissections are a distinct etiology of both ischemic and hemorrhagic neurovascular events. These dissections can involve the extracranial carotid or vertebral arteries, classified collectively as cervical artery dissections, or can be intracranial arterial dissections, and complications and management of each differ. The most recent evidence is reviewed in this publication. Significant heterogeneity regarding treatments of dissections exists among providers and with recent advances in endovascular approaches to neurovascular care, appreciating the latest evidence on the guidance of treatment has never been so challenging. Furthermore, recognizing the complications of cervico-cranial dissections and implementing appropriate therapies can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. Overall, limited randomized controlled data exists regarding the treatment of cervico-cranial dissections. Approach to management of these dissections and potential complications is largely based on observational studies and reported cases. The available evidence and strength vary depending on the case and complication.

Background and purpose Most recurrent cervical artery dissection (CeAD) events occur shortly after the acute first CeAD. This study compared the characteristics of recurrent and first CeAD events and searched for associations between subsequent events of an individual person. Methods Cervical artery dissection patients with a new CeAD event occurring during a 3-6 month follow-up were retrospectively selected in seven specialized stroke centers. Clinical and vascular characteristics of the initial and the recurrent CeADs were compared. Results The study sample included 76 patients. Recurrent CeADs were occlusive in one (1.3%) patient, caused cerebral ischaemia in 13 (17.1%) and were asymptomatic in 39 (51.3%) patients, compared to 29 (38.2%) occlusive, 42 (55.3%) ischaemic and no asymptomatic first CeAD events. In 52 (68.4%) patients, recurrent dissections affected both internal carotid arteries or both vertebral arteries, whilst 24 (31.6%) patients had subsequent dissections in both types of artery. Twelve (28.6%) of 42 patients with an ischaemic first dissection had ischaemic symptoms due to the recurrent CeADs, too. However, only one (1.3%) of 34 patients with a non-ischaemic first CeAD suffered ischaemia upon recurrence. Conclusion Recurrent CeAD typically affects the same site of artery. It causes ischaemic events less often than the first CeAD. The risk that patients who presented with solely non-ischaemic symptoms of a first CeAD will have ischaemic symptoms in the case of a recurrent CeAD seems very small.

Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with vascular complications, including ischemic stroke and cervical artery dissection. Vertebral artery dissection (VAD), however, is rare. We describe a 31-year-old female who presented with vertigo, nausea, and vomiting and was found to have a VAD. In addition, we discuss the presentation, differential diagnosis, and pathogenesis of this uncommon but clinically significant vascular event and summarize other cases of vertebral artery dissection described in the medical literature. Case presentation A 31-year-old Hispanic woman presented 10 days postpartum with a one-day history of vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and frontal headache. The patient’s pregnancy course had been complicated by preeclampsia, chorioamnionitis, and iron-deficiency anemia, and her delivery was complicated by acute hemorrhage. Physical examination was significant for left leg ataxia. Laboratory studies showed marked thrombocytosis. Emergent computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was obtained and revealed a left cerebellar ischemic large vessel stroke. Subsequent CT angiography of the head and neck showed a left VAD. Based on correlation of the clinical history and laboratory and imaging findings, a diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection secondary to reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis from overlapping iron-deficiency anemia and acute hemorrhage was established. The patient was started on a heparin infusion and experienced significant improvement after a four-day hospitalization. Conclusion VAD is a rare but important cause of neurologic symptoms in the postpartum period and should be considered in the differential diagnosis for women who present with headache and/or vertigo. Women aged 30 years or older and those with a history of a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy are at particularly high risk. Prompt diagnosis and management of VAD is essential to ensure favorable outcomes.

IntroductionCervical artery dissection, including carotid and vertebral artery dissection, is an important cause of stroke in the young. Risk of developing cervical artery dissection has been associated with physical activity in various forms and has been presumed to be related to minor trauma and mechanical stretching of the cervical arteries. This systematic review will aim to synthesise data on the risk of recurrent cervical artery dissection after an initial dissection. This information may be applied to further understand the natural history of this disease, and potentially to help direct evidence-based discussions on safe return to activity after dissection.Methods and analysisA broad search of multiple electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science) will be conducted to identify studies published as of 13 November 2019, examining all-comers with cervical artery dissection observed over time. Studies will be screened by two independent reviewers in a two-level process to determine eligibility for inclusion. Data will be pooled from eligible articles and the main outcome of recurrent cervical artery dissection at 5 years will be determined using quantitative analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not necessary as no primary data are being collected. The information will be disseminated in the form of a systematic review article which will be submitted to a peer-reviewed medical journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020166105.

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.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has recently brought to attention the myriad of neuro- logic sequelae associated with Coronavirus infection including the predilection for stroke, particularly in young patients. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a well-described clinical syndrome leading to vasoconstriction in the intracra- nial vessels, and has been associated with convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage and oc- casionally cervical artery dissection. It is usually reported in the context of a trigger such as medications, recreational drugs, or the postpartum state; however, it has not been described in COVID-19 infection. We report a case of both cervical vertebral ar- tery dissection as well as convexity subarachnoid hemorrhage due to RCVS, in a pa- tient with COVID-19 infection and no other triggers.

Cervical artery dissection refers to dissection of the vertebral or carotid arteries, and accounts for up to 20% of strokes in those under 45. Antithrombotic therapy is therefore essential to limit thrombosis at the site of injury and distal neuronal damage. However, the exact choice of drugs, timing and duration of therapy remain a challenging decision.A review of data was conducted on three cases of unprovoked cervical dissection at our stroke center between 2017 and 2020. They include bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, right vertebral artery dissection, and left internal carotid artery dissection.Three key outcomes were identified: narrowing, occlusion and pseudoaneurysm; such outcomes dictated our management approach. Two patients were given antiplatelet therapy for at least one year. The patient with bilateral dissection was perceived to have higher thromboembolic risk, due to the presence of a free-floating thrombus. Thus, he was anticoagulated for a year, and thereafter given antiplatelet therapy.The evidence behind long-term management of carotid artery dissection remains equivocal. There is no strong evidence favouring anticoagulation over antiplatelets or vice versa. Anticoagulation tends to be preferred in cases of severe stenosis, occlusion or pseudoaneurysm, to reduce the risk of thromboembolic phenomena. Anti-platelets are preferred where there is a high risk of haemorrhagic transformation or contraindication to anticoagulation. The duration of secondary prevention is similarly unclear. Advances in radiology and increased follow-up have resulted in uncertainty on the management of incomplete healing at the six-month point. Varying clinical practice has been identified and there is a lack of a clear guideline. We propose continuing antithrombotic therapy in cases of incomplete healing, as in our case series. Nevertheless, we require more data on the subject and thus suggest an initial nation-wide survey to compare the different management strategies followed by large-scale retrospective analyses comparing long-term outcomes.

Background and Purpose: Neo-atherosclerosis plays a vital role in the incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR) after extracranial and intracranial artery stenting, and Apolipoprotein (ApoE) gene polymorphism has been reported to be closely related to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. The present study aims to investigate the association between ApoE gene polymorphism and ISR after extracranial and intracranial artery stenting. Methods: A total of 169 patients with successful stent implantation were included in this study. ApoE genotypes were obtained during the postoperative follow-up. Color Doppler ultrasonography of cervical artery or head and neck CT angiography (CTA) was performed on the 1,3,6 and 12 months and then yearly in the clinical follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression analysis of independent risk factors was performed to evaluate the ISR. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to compare the restenosis –free rate among the patients with different ApoE genotypes. Results: Of the 169 patients, 43 (43/169, 25.4%) developed ISR after a mean follow-up period of 10.4 months (1–35 months). Multivariate analysis showed that genotype E4/E4 (hazard ratio 3.305, P = 0.031, 95% confidence interval 1.118–9.773) and degree of stenosis >90% (hazard ratio 5.083, P = 0.001, 95% confidence interval 1.938–13.327) were significant determinants of ISR. Conclusion: ApoE gene polymorphism is closely related to the incidence of ISR after extracranial and intracranial artery stenting, and the genotype E4/E4 is an independent risk factor for ISR.

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the prevalence of cervical artery dissection remains constant across age groups, we evaluated the relationship between age and cervical artery dissection in patients with stroke using a nationally representative sample from the United States.MethodsWe used inpatient claims data included in the 2012–2015 releases of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS). We used validated ICD-9-CM codes to identify adults hospitalized with ischemic stroke and a concomitant diagnosis of carotid or vertebral artery dissection. Survey weights provided by the NIS and population estimates from the US census were used to calculate nationally representative estimates. The χ2 test for trend was used to compare the prevalence of concomitant dissection among stroke hospitalizations across patient subgroups defined by age. Poisson regression and the Wald test for trend were used to evaluate whether the prevalence of hospitalizations for stroke and concomitant dissection per million person-years varied by age groups.ResultsThere were 17,320 (95% confidence interval [CI], 15,614–19,026) hospitalizations involving ischemic stroke and a concomitant dissection. The prevalence of dissection among stroke hospitalizations decreased across 10-year age groups from 7.2% (95% CI, 6.2%–8.1%) among persons younger than 30 years to 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%–0.2%) among persons older than 80 years (p value for trend p value for trend ConclusionIn a nationally representative sample, the prevalence of hospitalizations for dissection-related stroke increased with age.

COVID-19 is a pandemic disease which predominantly affects the respiratory system, however it also causes multi-organ dysfunction in a subset of patients. There is a growing evidence that it increases the propensity of strokes in younger patients. Besides producing a prothrombotic state, arterial dissection could be one of its many manifestations, increasing the risks of stroke. Herein, we report the first case of spontaneous bilateral vertebral artery dissection in a patient with COVID-19. 39-year female presented with spontaneous bilateral vertebral artery dissections without any instigating traumatic events and no history of connective tissue disorders. Whether this patient's vertebral artery dissections were triggered by exaggerated inflammatory response or arteriopathy secondary to COVID-19 remains speculative. Nonetheless, arterial dissection could be one of it's complications. It is important for the physicians to be aware of different clinical manifestations of COVID-19 as we manage these patients with no historical experience, to provide adequate care.

Spontaneous cervicocerebral artery dissection (sCCD) is an important cause of ischaemic stroke that often occurs in young and middle aged patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between tortuosity of the carotid artery and sCCD.Patients with confirmed sCCD who underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) were reviewed retrospectively. Age and sex matched patients having CTA were used as controls. The tortuosity indices of the cervical arteries were measured from the CTA images. The carotid siphon and the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) were evaluated according to morphological classification. The carotid siphons were classified into five types. The extracranial ICA was categorised as simple tortuosity, coiling or kinking. Independent risk factors for sCCD were investigated using multivariable analysis.The study included sixty-six patients with sCCD and 66 controls. There were no differences in vascular risk factors between the two groups. The internal carotid tortuosity index (ICTI) (25.24 ± 12.37 vs. 15.90 ± 8.55, respectively; p .001) and vertebral tortuosity index (VTI) (median 11.28; interquartile range [IQR] 6.88, 18.80 vs. median 8.38; IQR 6.02, 12.20, respectively; p = .008) were higher in the patients with sCCD than in the controls. Type III and Type IV carotid siphons were more common in the patients with sCCD (p = .001 and p .001, respectively). The prevalence of any vessel tortuosity, coiling and kinking of the extracranial ICA was higher in the patients with sCCD (p .001, p = .018 and p = .006, respectively). ICTI (odds ratio [OR] 2.964; p = .026), VTI (OR 5.141; p = .009), and Type III carotid siphons (OR 4.654; p = .003) were independently associated with the risk of sCCD.Arterial tortuosity is associated with sCCD, and greater tortuosity of the cervical artery may indicate an increased risk of arterial dissection.

A 57-year-old man presented with sudden neck pain radiating down his arms. This pain progressed to bilateral upper and subsequently lower extremity weakness and numbness. His vitals were notable for systolic blood pressures lower than his baseline (down to 90 mm Hg). The patient’s neurological examination as well as magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and thoracic spine localized to a lesion in the anterior spinal cord. The differential diagnosis for such an acute presentation included stroke, demyelination, intramedullary neoplasm, infection, metabolic myelopathy, and a dural arteriovenous fistula. Further imaging with angiography demonstrated that our patient lacked an anterior spinal artery. In its place, collateral flow from cervical artery branches provided sustenance to the anterior spinal cord. In the setting of hemodynamic instability, this variant anatomy likely predisposed the patient to ischemia, leading to the classic presentation of anterior cord syndrome.

Background and Purpose: Pregnancy is a risk factor for stroke. The mechanisms of stroke in pregnancy have not been well established. Cervical artery dissection may be one such mechanism, but it is unclear whether pregnancy is a risk factor for cervical artery dissection. Methods: We performed a cohort-crossover analysis using administrative claims data from all hospitalizations and emergency department visits involving nonfederal acute care hospitals in NY and FL between 2005-2015. We identified women ≥12 years old who were hospitalized for labor and delivery. Our outcome was cervical artery dissection, defined as carotid or vertebral artery dissection. We defined the period of risk as 6 months antepartum through 3 months postpartum. We compared each patient’s risk of dissection during this time period versus the corresponding 270-day period exactly 1 year later. Conditional Poisson models with robust standard errors were used to calculate incidence risk ratios (IRRs). Results: We identified 4,193,417 pregnancies among 3,061,413 women during our study period. There were 52 cases of cervical artery dissection during the peripartum period and 24 cases during the control period 1 year later. The incidence of cervical artery dissection was 12 (95% CI, 10-17) per million pregnancies versus 6 (95% CI, 4-9) per million patients during the control period 1 year later (IRR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.5). Our findings were similar when we limited our outcome to cervical artery dissections complicated by ischemic stroke (IRR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1). Secondary analyses suggested that the heightened risk occurred in the peripartum and postpartum period (IRR,5.5; 95% CI, 2.6-11.7), not the antepartum period (IRR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2-1.2). Conclusions: In a large, population-based sample of women, pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of cervical artery dissection. This increased risk appeared to be limited to the peripartum and postpartum period.

Introduction: Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is a major cause of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in young adults. Its pathophysiology is distinct from the other etiologies of AIS and is determined by both genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we sought to determine the risk factors for and outcomes of AIS due to CeAD in young adults, in the era of increasing utilization of neuroimaging and neuro-intervention procedures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases of AIS between 15-45 years of age admitted to our comprehensive stroke center between January 2010 - November 2016. Risk factors and outcomes were compared between patients with and without CeAD using univariate analysis. Multivariable generalized linear and logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounding variables. Results: Of the total 333 patients with AIS included in the study (mean±SD age: 36.4±7.1 years; females 50.8%), CeAD was identified in 84 (25.2%) patients. When compared to the non-CeAD group, patients with CeAD were younger in age and more likely to have a history of migraine and recent chiropractic neck manipulation (p Conclusions: While history of migraine and recent chiropractic neck manipulation are significantly associated with CeAD; most of the traditional vascular risk factors are less prevalent in this group. In comparison with AIS due to other etiologies, patients with CeAD have worse functional outcomes at the time of discharge but similar outcomes at follow up, which suggests a propensity for better recovery.

Objectives: Strokes associated with cervical artery dissection have been managed primarily with antithrombotics with poor outcomes. The additive role of endovascular thrombectomy remains unclear. The objective was to perform systematic review and meta-analysis to compare endovascular thrombectomy and medical therapy for acute ischemic stroke associated with cervical artery dissection. Methods: Studies from six electronic databases included outcomes of patient cohorts with acute ischemic stroke secondary to cervical artery dissection who underwent treatment with endovascular thrombectomy. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted with a random-effects model. Modified Rankin score at 90 days (mRS 0-2) was the primary outcome. Other outcomes included proportion of patients with thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b-3 flow, 90-day mortality rate, and 90-day symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) rate. Results: Six studies were included, comprising 193 cases that underwent thrombectomy compared with 59 cases that were managed medically. Successful recanalization with a pooled proportion of thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) 2b-3 flow in the thrombectomy group was 74%. Favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) was superior in the pooled thrombectomy group (62.9%, 95% CI 55.8-69.5%) compared medical management (41.5%, 95% CI 29.0-55.1%, P=0.006). The pooled rate of 90-day mortality was similar for endovascular vs medical (8.6% vs 6.3%). The pooled rate of symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) did not significantly differ (5.9% vs 4.2%, P=0.60). Conclusions: Current data suggest that endovascular thrombectomy may be an option in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to cervical artery dissection. This requires further confirmation in higher quality prospective studies.