Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery with 12th nerve palsy. Radiologic and clinical aspects

Three cases of 12th nerve palsy due to dissection of the ICA are reported. The clinical and radiological features are described. The useful role played by MRI in the diagnosis is emphasised.     

Spontaneous bilateral carotid artery dissection following cervical manipulation

We report an autopsy case of a bilateral carotid artery dissection, following cervical manipulation by a chiropractor. To establish the etiology of a cervical artery dissection is important in view of possible legal implications and to exclude hereditary disorders, since cervical artery dissection has been linked to several arteriopathies. The underlying arteriopathy in the presented case was an idiopathic cystic medial degeneration. This report emphasizes the role of the pathologist in defining the underlying arteriopathy in carotid artery dissection.     

Pseudoaneurysm of the cervical internal carotid artery with associated hypoglossal nerve paralysis

Summary A case of pseudoaneurysm of the cervical internal carotid artery with associated hypoglossal nerve paralysis resulting from trauma is presented. CT and angiographic manifestations of this pseudoaneurysm and the resulting hypoglossal nerve paralysis are discussed. Correlative CT and angiographic findings of this association have not previously been described in the literature.     

Spontaneous dissection of the cervical internal carotid artery. Diagnosis by MRI

A case of spontaneous dissection of the cervical internal carotid artery documented by angiography and MRI is reported. Angiography showed an irregular stenosis of the upper part of the cervical internal carotid artery extending up to the base of the skull, suggestive of spontaneous dissection. The diagnosis was confirmed beyond doubt by MRI which showed a sub-intimal collection of blood with a typical hyperintense appearance.     

Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery during magnetic resonance imaging

Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery is an increasingly recognized condition that is readily identifiable with magnetic resonance imaging and -angiography. Early recognition of this entity is essential for optimizing medical management and avoiding potential cerebral infarction. We present a case of dissection of the internal carotid artery that occurred during magnetic resonance imaging and describe the immediate imaging characteristics.     

Lower cranial nerve palsy due to dissection of the internal carotid artery: CT and MR imaging

Three patients with unilateral lower cranial nerve palsy underwent contrast enhanced CT and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the investigation of possible compressive pathology in the region of the jugular foramen. Computed tomography revealed a mural crescentic hypodensity of the corresponding internal carotid artery (ICA) in two patients and a faulty visualization of the vessel in one. Magnetic resonance revealed a corresponding hyperintense lesion expanding the wall and narrowing the lumen of the cervical ICA on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Dissection of the ICA was confirmed by angiography in all three patients. Among the possible etiologies of lower cranial nerve palsy, a dissecting hematoma of the cervical ICA must be considered, which can be diagnosed by CT and MR.     

Basilar and bilateral carotid dolichoectasia with spontaneous dissection of C2 segment of the internal carotid artery

We describe a previously unreported case of cranial arterial dolichoectasia associated with spontaneous dissection of the petrous (C2) segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) with 2 patent lumena. Dolichoectasia of the cranial arteries and different types of double lumen of ICA are discussed. A review of previously reported cases is included.     

Spontaneous dissection of both extracranial internal carotid arteries

Summary Neurological examination and Doppler sonography of a 50-year-old patient were suggestive of a spontaneous dissection of the left internal carotid artery (left-sided headaches, amaurosis fugax, Horner's syndrome and hemispheric stroke). Four-vessel angiogram performed several days after the onset of the symptoms showed dissection of both extracranial carotid arteries, more pronounced on right side where the dissection was clinically asymptomatic. Angiogram follow-up demonstrated a recanalization of both carotid arteries. A review of 15 other documented reports indicates that bilateral internal carotid dissection is usually associated with fibromuscular dysplasia. A large majority of cases does not clinically differ from unilateral carotid artery dissection.     

Traumatic dissection of extracranial internal carotid artery and subclavian artery

A case of a young, adult male presenting with acute post-traumatic dissection involving the left internal carotid and subclavian artery is described.     

Traumatic internal carotid artery dissection presenting as delayed hemilingual paresis.

A case of internal carotid artery dissection presenting as delayed right hemilingual paresis after blunt craniocervical trauma is presented. Diagnosis is discussed with emphasis on MR and MR angiographic findings. Mechanisms of injury and lower cranial nerve palsy are also briefly discussed.     

Spontaneous thrombosis of a giant intracavernous internal carotid artery aneurysm and ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion

A 75-year-old man who had suffered from right visual disturbance for 10 years suddenly experienced right cavernous sinus syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a giant thrombosed aneurysm in the right cavernous sinus extending to the right middle cranial fossa. Digital subtraction angiography disclosed occlusion of the right internal carotid artery at the petrous portion and good cross filling in the right-sided circulation through the anterior communicating artery. There was no filling of the aneurysm. In this case, the mechanism of parent artery occlusion is unclear, but direct compression and stretching of the parent artery by the aneurysm may be involved.