Vertebral artery dissection in a patient practicing self-manipulation of the neck

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient who regularly practiced self-manipulation of her neck who presented with shoulder and neck pain and was undergoing a vertebral artery dissection. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 42-year-old female patient sought care for left shoulder pain with a secondary complaint of left lower neck pain. Twelve days prior, she had had "the worst headache of her life," which began in her left lower cervical spine and extended to her left temporal region. The pain was sudden and severe, was described as sharp and burning, and lasted 3 hours. She reported nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Initial history and examination suggested that the patient's head and neck pain was not musculoskeletal in origin, but vascular. She repeatedly requested that an adjustment be performed, but instead was referred to the local emergency department for further evaluation. Magnetic resonance angiogram revealed a dissection of the left vertebral artery from C6 to the C2-C3 interspace and a 3-mm dissecting pseudoaneurysm at the C3 level. She underwent stent-assisted percutaneous transluminal angioplasty combined with antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel) and experienced a good outcome. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that careful history taking and awareness of the symptoms of VAD are necessary in cases of sudden head and neck pain. More research is needed on the relationship between vertebral artery dissection and self-manipulation of the neck.     

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome with isolated immunoglobulin E hypogammaglobulinaemia

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare disorder classically presenting with a triad of recurrent orofacial swelling, facial palsy and a fissured tongue. This case report describes a case of MRS in a patient with isolated immunoglobulin E (IgE) hypogammaglobulinaemia. The 52-year-old woman presented with puffy eyelids, lower lip swelling and right facial nerve palsy. Fissures of the tongue were also noted. On investigation she was found to have a markedly low serum IgE level. This case report clearly indicates that IgE-mediated reactions do not play a significant role in the development of MRS.     

Vertebrobasilar artery dissection manifesting as Millard-Gubler syndrome in a young ischemic stroke patient: A case report

BACKGROUND Millard-Gubler syndrome(MGS) is caused by a lesion in the brainstem at the level of the facial nerve nucleus, and it is also a rare ventral pontine syndrome.Vertebrobasilar artery dissection(VAD) is an uncommon cause of ischemic stroke. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report on the coexistence of MGS and VAD in a young acute ischemic stroke patient.CASE SUMMARY We herein describe an unusual case of young acute ischemic stroke patient,presenting with acute right peripheral facial palsy, right abducens palsy, and contralateral hemihypesthesia, manifesting as MGS. After receiving dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel, as well as rosuvastatin, the patient recovered significantly. The high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) indicated a diagnosis of VAD.CONCLUSION Our finding further demonstrated that high-resolution MRI is a useful technique to early detect underlying dissection in posterior circulation ischemic stroke.     

A risk–benefit assessment strategy to exclude cervical artery dissection in spinal manual-therapy: a comprehensive review

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 messages

• Cervical 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.

     

Bilateral carotid artery dissection after dental work

Carotid artery dissection has been reported to occur spontaneously and after many types of neck trauma. A case patient is presented who developed a right-sided oculosympathetic palsy and was found to have bilateral carotid artery dissection after she visited her dentist. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the first report of bilateral carotid dissection following dental work.     

A case of extracranial vertebral artery dissection with spontaneous recovery: Diagnosis and follow-up by duplex and color Doppler

A 47-year-old women developed an acute vestibular syndrome with a peripheral facial palsy not associated with any trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an ischemic lesion in the territory of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Color Doppler ultrasonography detected an occlusion of the right vertebral artery and dissection of the artery was confirmed by a subsequent angiography. During follow-up Duplex-Doppler allowed a non-invasive monitoring of recanalization of the occluded artery.     

Neck pain after minor neck trauma--is it always neck sprain?

We report a patient who had headache and neck pain after whiplash injury and subsequently developed cerebellar infarction due to vertebral artery dissection. This patient's pain was out of proportion to his apparent injury and it was a clue to the final diagnosis. Gross motor examination for cord injury may not be adequate for patients with minor neck trauma. Detailed cranial nerve and cerebellar examination should be performed for detection of circulatory insufficiency. Discharge advice for patients should also include that of stroke or transient ischaemic attack.     

Headache as only symptom in multiple cervical artery dissection

We describe a patient with atypical headache as the only presenting symptom of spontaneous triple cervical artery dissection. As the patient suffered from arterial hypertension, a causative relation between headache and arterial hypertension was initially taken into consideration. However, four-vessel arteriography disclosed a dissection of both internal carotid arteries and the right vertebral artery. This unique case highlights the value of conventional arteriography for diagnosing cervical artery dissection. Since multiple cervical artery dissections are not rare, all cervical arteries should be examined by means of conventional arteriography when a dissection is suspected.     

Isolated spinal accessory nerve palsy after coronary artery bypass: an unusual complication

Isolated spinal accessory nerve palsy after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a rare complication. We report a case of a 52-yr-old male patient who presented with right shoulder weakness, drooping of shoulder, and weakness of forward elevation after CABG. A program of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and exercises was started after the diagnosis of right isolated spinal accessory nerve palsy by physical examination and electromyographic study. Involved muscle function recovered after 6 mos of physical therapy and rehabilitation. This case report suggests that isolated spinal accessory nerve palsy should be considered in cases of shoulder pain or weakness after CABG, and conservative treatment is recommended if palsy develops.     

Ultrasonography of the accessory nerve: normal and pathologic findings in cadavers and patients with iatrogenic accessory nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine feasibility of ultrasonography in detecting the normal accessory nerve as well as pathologic changes in cases of accessory nerve palsy. METHODS: Four patients with accessory nerve palsy were investigated by ultrasonography. Three cases of accessory nerve palsy after lymph node biopsy and neck dissection were primarily diagnosed on the basis of ultrasonography using a 5- to 12-MHz linear transducer. In addition, we performed ultrasonography in 3 cadaveric specimens to show the feasibility of detecting the accessory nerve. RESULT: Nerve transection (n = 2), scar tissue (n = 1), and atrophy of the trapezius muscle (n = 4) were confirmed by electroneurographic testing and surgical nerve inspection. In 1 case in which a patient had a whiplash injury with accessory nerve palsy, ultrasonography showed atrophy of the trapezius muscle with a normal nerve appearance. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography allows visualization of the normal accessory nerve as well as changes after accessory nerve palsy.     

Spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection

Once considered uncommon, spontaneous dissection of the carotid artery is an increasingly recognized cause of stroke, headache, cranial nerve palsy, or ophthalmologic events, especially in young adults. Even in the presence of existing signs and symptoms, the diagnosis can be missed by experienced physicians of all specialties. We report a case of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection in a 38-year-old woman with a cortical stroke and visual disturbances as initial symptoms. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging/angiography and by angiography. Prompt anticoagulation was instituted, and the patient had complete resolution of symptoms. Cervicocephalic arterial dissection should be included in the differential diagnosis of the causes of cerebrovascular events.     

A preschool-age child with first-time seizure and ataxia

We present a case of a 4-year-old previously healthy child who had a possible first-time seizure at home, and upon a second Emergency Department evaluation was found to have gross cerebellar ataxia suggestive of acute stroke. Initial computed tomography scan and metabolic work-up were unrevealing. Subsequent neuroimaging demonstrated stroke in the left medulla and cerebellum secondary to left vertebral artery dissection. Cervical artery dissection may cause up to 20% of strokes in childhood and adolescence. Unlike typical adult presentations, antecedent or concurrent head and neck pain occurs less often in pediatric dissections. Symptoms of posterior circulation ischemia resulting from vertebral artery dissection may include vertigo, vomiting, ataxia, dysarthria, and seizure. Willingness to utilize newer, non-invasive imaging modalities may lead to earlier recognition of cervical artery dissection when patients have prodromal symptoms or episodes of transient ischemia. Vertebral artery dissection should be included in the differential diagnosis when evaluating children with first time seizure, headache, or neck pain.     

Cervical Radiculopathy Caused by a Vertebral Artery Loop: Is a Focused Fluoroscopic‐Guided Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection a Possible Treatment Modality?

We describe a case of a patient suffering with cervical radiculopathy due to vertebral artery loop with nerve root compression, treated with an epidural steroid injection. A 37‐year‐old man presented with a 2‐year history of right‐sided radicular pain along the C7 dermatome. Imaging showed a right‐sided loop of the vertebral artery at the V1–V2 transition with contact on the C7 nerve root. The pain was resistant to conservative treatment, and the decision was made to perform a focused fluoroscopy‐guided translaminar epidural steroid injection near the C7 nerve root. The procedure was uneventful, and the symptoms resolved completely after the procedure. Targeted epidural steroid injection might be a useful and safe diagnostic and therapeutic approach in patients affected by cervical radiculopathy due to a VA loop. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a VA loop associated with cervical radiculopathy treated with this technique.     

Dissection of the vertebral arteries: Case report and discussion

Vertebral artery dissection is an unusual condition with potentially protean neurologic presentations. It may occur spontaneously or follow apparently minor neck trauma. Ischemic symptoms related to the posterior circulation ensue and may be due to obstruction or embolization. The ensuing stroke is ischemic, although subarachnoid hemorrhage may be a complication as well. A case of vertebral artery dissection in a young woman who developed symptoms approximately one week after mild neck injury is reported, and the topic is reviewed.     

Focal lingual dystonia,urinary incontinence,and sensory deficits secondary to low voltage electrocution: case report and literature review

Electrocution injuries are well reported in review articles and cases of high voltage electrocution injury are abundant. However, reports of low voltage electrocution injury are few. A case is presented of low voltage shock from a 120 volt AC source with presentation, acute and chronic course, and a five year follow up. The patient experienced several unusual complications of low voltage electrocution: a persistent right tongue deviation, which initially presents as an isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy, but subsequently manifests as a focal lingual dystonia; total body paresthesia with urinary incontinence; and persistent sensory deficits to the face and tongue.     

Trampolines, children, and strokes

Strokes in children related to sports injuries are rare, but pediatric trampoline injuries are dramatically increasing. Minor trauma to the vulnerable extracranial vertebral arteries as they travel superficially through the dorsum of the neck can begin a cascade of events that results in arterial dissection, thrombus formation, and embolization with cerebral infarction. We present the case of an 11-yr-old boy who developed left vertebral artery dissection subsequent to a trampoline injury.     

Headache and Neck Pain: The Warning Symptoms of Vertebral Artery Dissection

SYNOPSIS
The clinical features of headache and neck pain in 14 patients with extracranial vertebral artery dissection proven by angiography or magnetic resonance imaging are reported. Pain was always located on the side of the dissected vertebral artery. Whereas eleven patients had head and posterior neck pain, the others had either only posterior neck pain, no change of a chronic pre-existing headache or no pain at all. Pain started suddenly, was of sharp quality and severe intensity, different from any previously experienced headache. Following acute onset, the time course of pain was monophasic with gradual remission of a persistent headache lasting one to three weeks. A delay between onset of head or posterior neck pain and onset of neurologic dysfunction was noted in 12 patients and was less than one day and between one day and three weeks in six each. Report of this distinct type of pain, although non-specific as an isolated symptom, should raise suspicion of an underlying vertebral artery dissection. Early confirmation of this diagnosis and subsequent anticoagulation if dissection does not extend intracranially may help prevent vertebro-basilar ischemic deficits.     

Occupational therapy for accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection

The subjects in this study were ten patients with accessory nerve palsy after radical neck dissection. All the primary diseases that accounted for radical neck dissection were malignant tumors located at the head or neck. Every patient received occupational therapy and underwent evaluations before and after the therapy. The data we collected included the existence of resting pain and motion pain, and the active and passive range of motion during shoulder flexion and abduction. The occupational therapy programs were not adequately effective for resting and motion pain, however, every patient gained independence for activities of daily living and housekeeping activities. The occupational therapy significantly improved the patient's shoulder elevation in all movements; although, the active abduction was always significantly poor compared with flexion. In the meantime, there were no significant differences between passive shoulder flexion and abduction at all times. We can therefore understand that the accessory nerve palsy especially affects active shoulder abduction induced by the trapezius paralysis. Occupational therapy is an effective treatment for the improvement of shoulder function, however, the occupational therapy has limited effectiveness for coping with the pain.     

Cervical manipulation to a patient with a history of traumatically induced dissection of the internal carotid artery: a case report and review of the literature on recurrent dissections.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of rotational cervical manipulation in treating a patient who had undergone a traumatically induced dissection of the internal carotid artery and to review the literature on recurrent cervical artery dissections. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 21-year-old woman with hemiparesis from an internal carotid artery dissection that occurred as the result of a motor vehicle accident had neck pain and headaches. Moderate range of motion restrictions in the neck were present along with articular restrictions to movement palpation. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: After a year of soft-tissue treatment, we obtained detailed, informed consent from the patient to attempt diversified manipulation to the neck. The patient described greater and more immediate relief and longer pain-free periods than could be achieved by soft-tissue treatment alone. CONCLUSION: Patients with previous cervical artery dissections may present with unrelated neck pain and headaches and request treatment. In selected cases, with complete informed consent, manipulation of the neck may relieve these symptoms. A review of published case reports on recurrent dissections suggests that trauma is not a significant factor in the second dissection. Care must be taken in extrapolating the results from this case to any other patient with a history of cervical artery dissection.     

Stroke after chiropractic manipulation as a result of extracranial postero-inferior cerebellar artery dissection

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of dissection of the postero-inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) after cervical manipulation. Clinical Features: After cervical manipulation, a 42-year-old woman had a cerebellar syndrome related to an infarct in the area supplied by the PICA, confirmed by computed tomography of the brain. Cerebral angiography showed a normal appearance of the vertebral artery, a cervical extradural origin of PICA, and a dissection of the latter at the C1-C2 level. Intervention and Outcome: Anticoagulant treatment with heparin was implemented. A positive outcome was achieved after 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: Anatomical variations of the vertebral arteries and their branches are not infrequent and may constitute a predisposing factor to complications after neck manipulation.