Dissections des artères cervicoencéphaliques

Carotid and vertebral arteries dissections are a common cause of stroke in young adults (about 20 %). They are characterized by the occurrence of local signs (mainly head and cervical pain, and Horner's syndrome) followed by ischemic stroke, which can be devastating. Most of these strokes occur within one week after local symptoms and signs, but can occur as late as one month later. Therefore, when a cervical artery dissection is suspected, noninvasive investigations should be performed in emergency so that appropriate treatment is began early enough to prevent a severe ischemic stroke.