Spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection

Once considered uncommon, spontaneous dissection of the carotid artery is a n increasingly recognized cause of stroke, headache, cranial nerve palsy or ophthalmologic events, especially in young adults. Even in the presence of existing signs and symptoms, the diagnosis can be missed by experienced ph ysicians of all specialties. We report a case of spontaneous internal carot id artery dissection in a 38-year-old woman with a cortical stroke and visu al disturbances as initial symptoms, The diagnosis was confirmed by magneti c resonance imaging/angiography and by angiography, Prompt anticoagulation was instituted, and the patient had complete resolution of symptoms, Cervic ocephalic arterial dissection should be included in the differential diagno sis of the causes of cerebrovascular events.