[Spontaneous dissection of the carotid artery]

Spontaneous dissection of the carotid artery is a rare cause of stroke. A 54-year-old man was hospitalized for transient ischemic attack. Duplex ultrasound of cervical arteries showed indirect signs of a dissection of the carotid. Magnetic resonance angiography showed a dissection of the post bulbar segment of the right carotid artery and a right ischemic stroke. Angiography confirmed the diagnosis. The anti-coagulant treatment initialized as soon as the diagnosis of dissection was suspected, was stopped because of a massive cerebral infarct. The course was unfavorable with a persistent hemiplegia.