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Updated: May 9, 2026
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Stereological and Flow Cytometry Characterization of Leukocyte Subpopulations in Models of Transient or Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: December 28, 2014
Elevated peripheral leukocyte counts in acute cervical artery dissection
C Grond-Ginsbach1, A Giossi, S S Aksay
1Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
European Journal of Neurology
|July 25, 2013
Summary
Elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts were observed in patients with acute cervical artery dissection (CeAD). This finding supports a potential link between inflammation and the development of CeAD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Inflammation Research
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Inflammation's role in cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is suspected but lacks substantial evidence.
- Existing research on inflammation markers in CeAD is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between white blood cell (WBC) counts and acute cervical artery dissection (CeAD).
- To compare WBC counts in CeAD patients with those in non-CeAD ischemic stroke patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 172 acute CeAD patients, 348 acute non-CeAD ischemic stroke patients, and 223 healthy controls.
- Analysis of white blood cell (WBC) counts at admission across the three study groups.
- Statistical comparison including multiple regression analysis adjusted for relevant covariates.
Main Results:
- CeAD patients exhibited significantly higher WBC counts compared to both non-CeAD stroke patients and healthy controls.
- A higher percentage of CeAD patients (38.4%) had elevated WBC counts (>10,000/μl) versus non-CeAD stroke patients (23.0%) and controls (8.5%).
- Elevated WBC counts remained independently associated with CeAD after adjusting for age, sex, stroke severity, and vascular risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Acute cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is strongly associated with elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts.
- Leukocytosis in CeAD may indicate a pre-existing inflammatory state, reinforcing the link between inflammation and CeAD pathogenesis.
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