Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery manifesting as pain in an endodontically treated molar.
BACKGROUND
Dental pain is a common occurrence, whereas spontaneous dissection of an internal carotid artery is rare.


METHODS
The authors describe a patient who experienced a spontaneous dissection of an internal carotid artery that manifested initially as dental pain in an endodontically treated molar.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important for dental practitioners to be familiar with unusual causes of dental pain. In this case in which the cause of dental pain was uncommon, the authors referred the patient appropriately, thus avoiding potentially serious complications.
Roz
Tamar M
TM
Department of Dentistry and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, Peninsula Hospital Center, Far Rockaway, NY, USA. trozdds@optonline.net
Schiffman
Leonard E
LE
Schlossberg
Sharon
S
D020215:Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology*; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000473:pathology*; D014098:Toothache / Q000175:diagnosis*