Purpose of review: The purpose of this article is to review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and current treatment options for cervicocerebral artery dissection (CCD).
Recent findings: CCD incidence has increased over time largely because of improvements in and increasing availability of noninvasive imaging. CCD can be detected on computed tomography angiography, MRI, magnetic resonance angiography, carotid duplex ultrasonography and conventional catheter-based digital subtraction angiography. Additionally, ischemic stroke treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen-activator for patients with suspected CCD appears to be well tolerated and effective. Moreover, a randomized clinical trial has shown antiplatelet agents to be as effective as anticoagulants at preventing recurrent ischemia. Surgical and endovascular techniques can be considered particularly for patients presenting with intracranial arterial dissection causing subarachnoid hemorrhage, developing recurrent ischemia due to hemodynamic impairment and whose dissecting aneurysms cause brainstem compression.
Summary: CCD is an important and one of the most common causes of ischemic stroke in young patients without traditional vascular risk factors. Cases can occur shortly after trauma. However, spontaneous CCD is common and is associated with many genetic, acquired and anatomical risk factors. CCD should be detected early to avoid complications and prevent long-term disability.