Cranial artery dissection.

Stroke is a very common cause for mortality and morbidity, especially in the elderly where the cause is usually generalized arteriosclerosis. In persons less than 45 years of age with stroke, there is a group of uncommon illnesses that are often identified. This includes cranial artery dissection, accounting for approximately 20% of these acute neurological events. Cranial artery dissection can involve the carotids or vertebral system, and symptoms can be quite diverse depending on the area of brain ischemia. Anticoagulation is the usual treatment, and overall there is a good long-term prognosis from this entity.