Type A aortic dissection secondary to a left common carotid artery dissection

Common carotid artery dissection is an unusual clinical event that most commonly occurs secondary to type A aortic dissection. We present a rare case of spontaneous common carotid artery dissection temporally preceding aortic dissection. Our case highlights the careful attention that cases of common carotid dissection should be given; our knowledge base regarding their natural history and evidence-based management is distinctly lacking compared to dissection of other cervical vessels. It also demonstrates the importance of imaging the entire aorta at the time of, a seemingly isolated, common carotid dissection to exclude other potential synchronous dissections.