Electric scooter-related triple cervical artery dissection

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Cervical artery dissection (CAD) is a rare but serious condition often associated with trauma.
• Traumatic mechanisms, including falls, can lead to arterial wall injury in the neck.
• Early recognition and management are crucial to prevent ischemic complications.

Observation:

• A 34-year-old female experienced neck pain, dysphonia, and dysphagia 10 days post-fall from an electric scooter.
• Computed tomography (CT) of the neck revealed bilateral vertebral artery and unilateral internal carotid artery non-occlusive dissections.
• The patient's symptoms were directly linked to the traumatic event and subsequent arterial injuries.

Findings:

• The imaging findings confirmed non-occlusive dissections of major cervical arteries.
• The mechanism of injury involved blunt force trauma from the fall, leading to arterial wall damage.
• Antiplatelet therapy was the chosen management strategy for the non-occlusive dissections.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering CAD after seemingly minor trauma.
• Accurate imaging interpretation is vital for diagnosing cervical artery dissections.
• Appropriate antiplatelet management can effectively treat non-occlusive CAD and reduce stroke risk.