How is vertebral artery dissection diagnosed?
How is vertebral artery dissection diagnosed?
Computed tomography (CT) scanning – Identifies subarachnoid hemorrhage ; CT angiography (CTA), along with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), are the imaging modalities of choice for vertebral artery dissections; however, CTA is less accurate in the presence of calcified arteries.
Can you see a vertebral artery dissection on xray?
Radiographic features Dissections are mostly located in the pars transversaria segment (V2) ~35% or in the atlas loop segment (V3) ~34% 2,3,11.
Can you have a vertebral artery dissection and not know it?
Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a rare cause of stroke in the general population; however, represents one of the more common causes of stroke in patients younger than 45 years of age. Its signs and symptoms can be vague, and diagnosis can be elusive.
What is the most common cause of vertebral artery dissection?
Vertebral dissection may occur after physical trauma to the neck, such as a blunt injury (e.g. traffic collision), or strangulation, or after sudden neck movements, i.e. coughing, but may also happen spontaneously….
| Vertebral artery dissection | |
|---|---|
| Causes | Trauma, Ehler’s Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome |
How do you perform a vertebral artery test?
Technique
- Place patient in supine and perform a passive extension and side flexion of the head and neck.
- Perform passive rotation of the neck to the same side and hold for approximately 30 seconds.
- Repeat test with head movement to the opposite side.
Can an MRI detect vertebral artery dissection?
A suspected arterial dissection can be diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computerized tomographic angiography (CTA), ultrasonography (US), or digital subtraction angiography (DSA).
Does MRI show vertebral artery?
Therefore, non-invasive diagnostic techniques such as CT angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with MR angiography (MRA) are typically used. CTA has been shown to have high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection [4].
How do you fix a vertebral artery dissection?
First-line treatment for cervical artery dissection usually is antiplatelet agents (such as aspirin) or anti-coagulation to prevent the formation of blood clots. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or clopidogrel may used alone or in combination.
How common is a vertebral artery dissection?
Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) has an estimated incidence of around 1.0 per 100,000 [ 1 ] and is slightly more common in females with average age affected in the fifth decade [ 2 , 3 ]. VAD can be spontaneous or can follow blunt cervical trauma.
What is a positive test for vertebral artery occlusion test?
Perform passive rotation of the neck to the same side and hold for approximately 30 seconds. Repeat test with head movement to the opposite side. Test is considered positive if there is dropping of the arms, loss of balance, or pronation of the hands; a positive result indicates decreased blood supply to the brain.
