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Published on: August 12, 2025

Cervical artery dissection: emerging risk factors

S Micheli1, M Paciaroni, F Corea

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation, SC Riabilitazione Intensiva Neuromotoria, Trevi, Italy.

The Open Neurology Journal
|January 29, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a leading cause of stroke in young adults. Research is ongoing to understand emerging risk factors like infections and migraines, alongside known causes such as trauma and genetic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a significant cause of stroke, particularly in young adults.
  • Associated factors include arterial wall diseases (e.g., fibrodysplasia), connective tissue disorders (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos syndrome IV, Marfan's syndrome), and vessel abnormalities like tortuosity.
  • An underlying, potentially genetic, arteriopathy is suspected in CAD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate emerging risk factors for cervical artery dissection (CAD).
  • To further elucidate the complex pathogenesis of CAD, which remains incompletely understood.
  • To consolidate current knowledge on known and potential risk factors for CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on emerging risk factors for CAD.
  • Analysis of identified risk factors, including trauma (e.g., chiropractic manipulation, coughing, hyperextension injuries) and non-traumatic factors.
  • Examination of potential associations with conditions like respiratory tract infections, migraine, and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Main Results:

  • CAD is a primary cause of ischemic stroke in younger populations.
  • Established risk factors include arterial diseases, genetic syndromes, vessel abnormalities, and trauma.
  • Emerging factors like infections, migraines, and hyperhomocysteinemia require further research to confirm their role.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding CAD pathogenesis requires continued investigation into both established and emerging risk factors.
  • Further research is crucial to clarify the role of factors like infections, migraines, and hyperhomocysteinemia in CAD.
  • Comprehensive risk factor analysis is essential for improving CAD diagnosis and prevention strategies.

Keywords:
Cervical artery dissectionaetiology of stroke.emerging risk factors

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