INFECTION-ASSOCIATED CERVICAL ARTERY DISSECTION - 3 CASES

Background The pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection remains unkn own. Infection-mediated damage of the arterial wall may be one contrib uting mechanism. We present three male patients with respiratory infec tion prior to cervical artery dissection. Case Descriptions Case 1: Du ring an upper respiratory tract infection, a 49-year-old patient devel oped bilateral carotid and vertebral artery dissection with complete v essel restitution. Case 2: Within 3 years, a 40-year-old patient exper ienced two episodes of bilateral internal carotid artery dissection, b oth preceded by febrile upper respiratory tract infection. Case 3: A 5 2-year-old patient developed right-sided and, 2 years later, left-side d internal carotid artery dissection, each following upper respiratory tract infection. Conclusions Infection may be a trigger factor in the pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection.