Middle cerebral artery dissection.

A 12-year-old girl had minor head trauma, with resultant mild headache, one day prior to onset of an apparently generalized tonic clonic seizure, right hemiparesis and dysphasia. A cranial CT scan showed evidence of a left middle cerebral artery infarct. Despite ventilation, fluid restriction, mannitol, thiopental infusion and intracranial pressure monitoring she deteriorated and died. Autopsy demonstrated dissection of the left middle cerebral artery with an intact internal carotid artery and no evidence of vasculitis. Middle cerebral artery dissection in children is very rare. Most reported cases are diagnosed at autopsy. The pathogenesis of cerebral artery dissection may include preceding minor head trauma or exertion and this should be sought for in the history.