Vertebral Artery Dissection: a Contemporary Perspective

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Arterial dissections, particularly vertebral artery dissections (VADs), are a significant cause of stroke in young adults.
• While often linked to trauma, advances in imaging reveal more dissections and diverse etiologies.
• VADs can manifest as ischemic stroke in the brainstem, cerebellum, or spinal cord, or as subarachnoid hemorrhage if occurring intracranially.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of vertebral artery dissections (VADs).
• To discuss the etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies for VADs.
• To illustrate theoretical concepts with clinical case examples.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of vertebral artery dissections.
• Analysis of clinical aspects, diagnosis, and treatment of VADs.
• Presentation of three distinct clinical cases of VADs.

Main Results:

• VADs are a frequent cause of stroke in young adults.
• VADs can lead to both ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• Diverse etiologies and clinical presentations of VADs are increasingly recognized.

Conclusions:

• Vertebral artery dissections require thorough understanding due to their potential for severe neurological deficits.
• Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial for managing VADs and preventing stroke.
• Clinical experience combined with literature review provides valuable insights into VAD management.