Spontaneous Vertebral Artery Dissection with Anti-cardiolipin Antibody Positivity

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Cerebral artery dissection is a rare but serious condition.
• Anticardiolipin antibodies are typically associated with thromboembolic events, not arterial dissection.
• Vertebral artery dissection can cause sudden, severe headaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of vertebral artery dissection in a young woman.
• To explore the potential association between anticardiolipin antibodies and arterial dissection.
• To discuss the clinical presentation and management of this condition.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 29-year-old woman with sudden onset headache.
• Diagnostic imaging including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and angiography.
• Biochemical analysis revealing anticardiolipin antibodies.

Main Results:

• Diagnosis of right vertebral artery dissection with intramural hematoma.
• Successful management of headache and blood pressure.
• Positive anticardiolipin antibody test results.

Conclusions:

• Anticardiolipin antibodies, though rare, may be associated with cerebral arterial dissection.
• This case highlights the importance of considering autoimmune factors in arterial dissection.
• Further research is needed to understand the link between anticardiolipin antibodies and arterial dissection.