[Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery]

Spontaneous dissections of internal carotid artery are known from more than 30 years and their incidence is now specified, several hundred cases being published. The case reported here illustrates very well the setting problems of this disease and explains why the incidence of the mild forms has been underestimated. The case of a sixty years old man with vague vertiginous feeling, headache and moderate ocular troubles is presented. The clinical signs disappeared within six weeks. The patient was seen again in good health seven years later. The medical practitioner by asking a systematic Doppler examination led to the diagnosis confirmed by arteriography. A complete recanalization of the internal carotid artery occurred. These forms with spontaneous favourable prognosis represent at least 50% of the cases.