User:Mr. Ibrahem/Carotid artery dissection

Carotid artery dissection is a flap-like tear of the inner lining of the carotid artery, which is located in the front of the neck and supplies blood to the brain. Classically symptoms include pain in the neck, face, or head on one side. This may be accompanied stroke symptoms such as blindness in one eye, abnormal taste, or double vision. Other symptoms may include Horner's syndrome (small pupil with a droopy eyelid). Complications may include stroke or subarachnoid bleed.

It may occur after injury to the neck, such as a traffic collision or chiropractic manipulation; but may also happen spontaneously. Risk factors for spontaneous dissection include a family history and connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. After the tear, blood enters the arterial wall and forms a blood clot, thickening the artery wall and often impeding blood flow. Diagnosis is by medical imaging, usually a CT scan.

Treatment may include aspirin, heparin, or warfarin. Stenting of the blood vessel may occasionally be done. Outcomes are variable. Outcomes are worse if the dissection extends to inside the skull or occurs on both sides.

Carotid dissection is rare, affecting about 1.8 per 100,000 people per year. They most commonly occur in peoples 20s to 40s. It is the reason for about 20% of strokes in young people. It is more common than vertebral artery dissection (dissection of the smaller arteries in the back of the neck). The condition was first described in 1954 by Jentzer.