title: Recanalization of cervical artery dissection: influencing factors and role in neurological outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Generally, the prognosis for cervical artery dissection (CAD) is uncertain. The recanalization rate of CAD can be up to 85% within 3 months. This study evaluates the variables that might affect recanalization and the role of recanalization as a predictor for neurological outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study prospectively included 38 patients with acute stroke following occlusion due to CAD (18 males, 20 females, median age 50.5 years, range 16-82). Vertebral and carotid dissections were equally distributed (19 carotid dissections). The recanalization rate was influenced by the presence of hypertension (p = 0.001). Outcomes were dependent on infarct location. Patients with lateral medullary infarction returned to functional independence (p = 0.026), while patients with deep hemispheric infarction tended to have a disabling stroke (p = 0.068). The presence of good collaterals seemed to influence functional independence (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There seemed to be no relationship between outcome and the rate of recanalization following CAD. Recanalization appeared to be a spontaneous mechanism, which could have depended on the intrinsic condition of the vessels. Finally, neurological outcome was dependent on lesion localization and the presence of good collaterals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Perugia, Perugia General Hospital, Italy. vcaso@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Caso
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paciaroni
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corea
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamam
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milia
authors.forename: Gian Piero
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Pelliccioli
authors.forename: Lucilla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Parnetti
authors.forename: Virgilio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gallai
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020215:Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors