[Dynamic computed tomography of the neck as an alternative to carotid arteriography]

Spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery is a frequent cause of acute ischemic cerebrovascular accidents in young patients. The diagnosis is usually based on arteriographic findings. We report a 31-year-old man with spontaneous dissection of the internal carotid artery in the neck, and compare the findings on arteriography with those on contrast enhanced, dynamic computed tomography (DCT) of the cervical and intracranial portion of the carotid system DCT may play an important role in the diagnosis of dissection of the carotid artery, and in its follow-up, as an alternative to arteriography.