Horner syndrome due to carotid dissection.
BACKGROUND
Internal carotid artery dissection typically presents with a clear history of blunt cranial-cervical trauma. Presenting symptoms include headache, focal cerebral ischemic symptoms, and oculosympathetic paresis (Horner syndrome). It is usually thought that internal carotid dissection is a serious but infrequent cause of Horner syndrome.


OBJECTIVE
A review of the literature reveals that carotid dissection is under-recognized as a cause of Horner syndrome, and outcome is thought to be compromised by diagnostic delay.


METHODS
This case report describes a patient who presented to the Emergency Department with a traumatic Horner syndrome caused by internal carotid dissection.


CONCLUSIONS
The etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment options of carotid dissection are discussed.
Flaherty
Patrick M
PM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center, Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043, USA.
Flynn
Joseph M
JM
D000328:Adult; D020215:Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications