title: Vertebral artery dissection: natural history, clinical features and therapeutic considerations.
abstract: When a tear occurs in one of the major cervicocerebral arteries and allows blood to enter the wall of the artery and split its layers, the result is either stenosis or aneurysmal dilatation of the vessel. Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is an infrequent occurrence but is a leading cause of stroke in young and otherwise healthy patients. This article discusses recent developments in understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of VAD and the various clinical manifestations, methods of diagnosis, and approaches to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwan-Woong
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jong-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun-Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Soo-Bin
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Won-Han
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Bum-Tae
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Kim