Spontaneous internal carotid dissection in a 38-year-old woman: a case report

This case report describes a patient found to have amaurosis fugax as a result of non-traumatic internal carotid dissection. Monocular blindness can be due to multiple causes including keratitis, acute glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, uveitis, retinal vascular occlusion, retinal detachment, optic neuropathy, trauma, or vascular malformations. In the setting of headache, neck pain, and an otherwise normal ophthalmic examination, this case report highlights the importance of recognizing transient ischemic attack and carotid artery dissection in the differential diagnosis. To further clarify the diagnosis, carotid ultrasound may aid diagnosis as was seen in this case, where decreased internal carotid artery velocities were found and subsequent CT angiography of the neck confirmed a diagnosis of carotid dissection. If a dissection is present, progression of symptoms may indicate impending cerebral infarction and warrant immediate attention. Antiplatelet therapy is the first-line treatment with anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and surgery reserved for cases of recurrent, progressive symptomatic episodes. Surgical options include endovascular repair such as angioplasty, stent placement, embolization, surgical revascularization, and bypass.