title: Non-penetrating arterial trauma and cerebral infarction in the young.
abstract: In a retrospective study of 60 patients under the age of 45 with ischaemic stroke the commonest likely predisposing factor was trauma, which applied to 13 (22%) patients. In 9 of these patients neck movement was the most likely factor that precipitated the stroke and was the factor identified in all the 3 who had damage to the vertebral artery. The other 4 patients had sustained direct trauma in the neck area, 2 as a result of attempted strangulation and 2 by carrying heavy loads on the shoulder. There may be a delay between the traumatic event and manifestation of the stroke, probably because the initial damage, which is most likely a small tear, is of no immediate consequence, and the stroke results after thrombus has formed over the tear and subsequently embolised.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hilton-Jones
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Warlow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries; D011859:Radiography; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*