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Stroke without dissection from a neck holding manoeuvre in martial arts
M O McCarron1, J Patterson, R Duncan
1Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|January 16, 1998
Summary
Carotid artery trauma from neck holds can cause stroke in young adults. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging aided diagnosis in a martial arts case, highlighting the need for swift stroke identification.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Imaging
- Trauma Medicine
Background:
- Cervical trauma, particularly from activities like martial arts, can lead to cerebrovascular events.
- Carotid artery injury is an established cause of ischemic stroke in younger populations.
- Potential injuries include occlusion, dissection, or thromboembolism originating from the carotid artery.
Observation:
- A case study of a 29-year-old male experiencing an embolic stroke following neck-holding maneuvers during a martial arts class.
- The patient's stroke symptoms were investigated using advanced neuroimaging techniques.
- Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was employed to visualize cerebral blood flow and identify embolic sources.
Findings:
- SPECT imaging successfully identified the embolic nature of the stroke.
- The findings correlated the patient's neurological event with the preceding physical trauma to the neck.
- This case underscores the link between specific physical maneuvers and carotid artery-related stroke.
Implications:
- Highlights the diagnostic utility of SPECT imaging in acute stroke, especially in young individuals with traumatic injury.
- Emphasizes the critical need for rapid stroke diagnosis to enable timely intervention with thrombolytic and neuroprotective therapies.
- Raises awareness among medical professionals and the public regarding the potential for stroke following seemingly minor neck trauma or specific physical activities.