Spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection. Review.

Spontaneous ICA dissection is an increasingly recognized cause of stroke especially in young adults. The most frequently reported site of involvement is the cervical part of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Although several primary arteriopathies have been related to the development of spontaneous ICA dissection the cause is not clear in most cases. The clinical picture varies from mild cerebral and/or cranial nerve dysfunction to a completed stroke. Angiography has been considered as gold standard in establishing diagnosis. Recently, duplex scanning has emerged as a powerful noninvasive diagnostic tool only in the initial assessment but in the serial follow-up of patients. Early diagnosis is essential as these lesions require anticoagulant treatment. Immediate heparinization is instituted after diagnosis, followed by oral anti-coagulation for at least six months. Surgical treatment is warranted in only few cases. Complete resolutions of the dissection is seen in at least 50% of cases. The risk of recurrent stroke remains low in patients discharged alive after spontaneous ICA dissection.