Infection-associated cervical artery dissection. Three cases.
BACKGROUND
The pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection remains unknown. Infection-mediated damage of the arterial wall may be one contributing mechanism. We present three male patients with respiratory infection prior to cervical artery dissection.


METHODS
Case 1: During an upper respiratory tract infection, a 49-year-old patient developed bilateral carotid and vertebral artery dissection with complete vessel restitution. Case 2: Within 3 years, a 40-year-old patient experienced two episodes of bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, both preceded by febrile upper respiratory tract infection. Case 3: A 52-year-old patient developed right-sided and, 2 years later, left-sided internal carotid artery dissection, each following upper respiratory tract infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection may be a trigger factor in the pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection.
Grau
A J
AJ
Neurology Department, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Brandt
T
T
Forsting
M
M
Winter
R
R
Hacke
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000098:blood supply*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology