View source for Vertebral artery dissection

__NOTOC__
{{Infobox_Disease |
  Name           = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Image          = Vertebral artery.png |
  Caption        = Arteries of the neck |
  DiseasesDB     = |
  ICD10          = |
  ICD9           = {{ICD9|443.24}} |
  ICDO           = |
  OMIM           = |
  MedlinePlus    = |
  MeshID         = |
}}
{{SI}}
{{CMG}}

==Overview==
'''Vertebral artery dissection''' is the development of [[Dissection (medical)|dissection]] (a flap-like tear) in the [[vertebral artery]]. It is commonly associated with [[physical trauma]] but may also develop spontaneously. It is a major cause of [[stroke]] in young people. 

==Presentation==
Typical features are [[pain and nociception|pain]] in the [[neck]] associated with stroke-like symptoms of the "posterior circulation": [[cranial nerve]] palsies, [[ataxia]], and cortical visual loss.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Thanvi B, Munshi SK, Dawson SL, Robinson TG |title=Carotid and vertebral artery dissection syndromes |journal=Postgrad Med J |volume=81 |issue=956 |pages=383–8 |year=2005 |pmid=15937204 |doi=10.1136/pgmj.2003.016774|url= http://pmj.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/81/956/383}}</ref> It can also cause [[subarachnoid hemorrhage]] (bleeding into the area around the brain); dissecting aneurysms of the vertebral artery represent about 4% of all [[aneurysm]]s.<ref name=Santos-Franco>{{cite journal |journal= Neurosurg Rev |date=2008 |title= Dissecting aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system. A comprehensive review on natural history and treatment options |author= Santos-Franco JA, Zenteno M, Lee A |doi=10.1007/s10143-008-0124-x |pmid=18309525}}</ref>

==Incidence==
The annual incidence is about 1 per 100,000 in America and 1.5 per 100,000 in France.<ref name=Santos-Franco/>

==Diagnosis==

===CT===


<div align="left">
<gallery heights="125" widths="125">
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 101.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 1
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 102.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 2
</gallery>
</div>


<div align="left">
<gallery heights="125" widths="125">
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 103.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 3
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 104.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 4
</gallery>
</div>


<div align="left">
<gallery heights="125" widths="125">
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 105.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 5
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 106.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 6
Image:Vertebral artery dissection 107.jpg|Vertebral artery dissection 7
</gallery>
</div>


==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Circulatory system pathology}}

[[Category:Cardiovascular diseases]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
{{WikiDoc Sources}}