CHILDHOOD STROKE DUE TO A TRAUMATIC VERTE BRAL ARTERY DISSECTION

Background. - Strokes due to vertebral artery lesions are not yet well known in children Case report, - We report on a case of post-traumati c vertebral artery dissection responsible for ischemic stroke in a 8-y ear old boy. Headache, vomiting and a brief loss of consciousness were the main initial signs. Neurological examination showed a locked-in s yndrome. Cerebral imaging revealed lesions in cortical cerebellar hemi sphere, cerebral pedoncular nad protuberance. An arteriogram performed on day 10 showed left vertebral artery occlusion at C2 levels consist ent with vertebral dissection. Antiagregants treament was given. Neuro logical recovery was good. Pertinent clinical data of 24 children who had strokes due to a vertebral artery dissection are analysed Conclusi on, - Vertebral artery dissection is presently a well-known cause of c hildhood strokes. Benefits from anticoagulants are now established.