OCULOSYMPATHETIC PARESIS AND HEMICRANIA IN SPONTANEOUS DISSECTION OF THE INTERNAL CAROTID-ARTERY - 4 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

This report describes four patients who developed oculosympathetic par esis and hemicrania due to spontaneous internal carotid artery dissect ion. This diagnosis was established with non-invasive techniques in th ree of the four patients. None of the patients developed cerebrovascul ar complications and the long-term outcomes were excellent, irrespecti ve of treatment with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulation. The epide miology, clinical aspects, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of non-traumatic, internal carotid dissections are reviewed. Presentation with hemicrania and ipsilateral Horner's syndrome indicates a favorab le prognosis for patients with spontaneous internal carotid artery dis sections.