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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Isolation and Cannulation of Cerebral Parenchymal Arterioles
Published on: May 23, 2016
Dissection of the brain supplying arteries over the life span
B Ahl1, M Bokemeyer, J C Ennen
1Department of Neurology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany. ahl.bjoern@mh-hannover.de
Insights
Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is increasingly diagnosed in younger adults. This study reveals CAD is also a potential cause of stroke in elderly patients, warranting its consideration in their diagnostic workup.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is increasingly diagnosed, primarily in middle-aged individuals.
- Limited data exists on the incidence and presentation of CAD in older populations.
- Improved neuroimaging has enhanced CAD detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a potential cause of cerebral ischemic events in elderly patients.
- To assess the clinical presentation of CAD across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of stroke patients diagnosed between January 1995 and December 1998.
- Prospective assessment of consecutive patients with cerebral ischemia for CAD from January 1999 to June 2000.
- Inclusion of 34 patients with internal carotid or vertebral artery dissection.
Main Results:
- The mean age of patients with CAD was 50.3 years.
- 32.4% of patients diagnosed with CAD were over 60 years old.
- Clinical presentation of CAD did not significantly differ based on patient age.
Conclusions:
- Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a relevant cause of cerebral ischemia in the elderly.
- Diagnostic evaluation for CAD should be considered in older patients presenting with ischemic stroke.
- Further research is needed to establish the precise incidence of CAD in the elderly population.
Abstract:
Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is being increasingly diagnosed due to improved neuroimaging methods. The mean age of patients with CAD is about 40 years, with a peak between 40 and 45 years of age. Proven data on the incidence of CAD in older patients are missing. Therefore, whether CAD should also be considered as a probable cause of cerebral ischemic events in the elderly was investigated. All consecutive patients referred to our clinic with a diagnosis of cerebral ischemia from January 1999 until June 2000 were thoroughly assessed for the presence of CAD. In addition, the records of all stroke patients treated in our department from January 1995 to December 1998 were analysed retrospectively for a diagnosis of CAD. A total of 34 patients (11 women) had suffered from internal carotid (n = 29) or vertebral artery (n = 5) dissection. Their mean (SD) age was 50.3 (14.6) years, with 32.4% being older than 60 years. Clinical presentation of CAD did not differ depending on the patients' age. The results show that CAD is a possible cause of cerebral ischemia in the elderly and thus has also to be considered in the diagnostic investigation in this patient group.
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