Vascular dissection is an injury to the wall of an artery that may result in either subarachnoid hemorrhage, formation of a blister-like pseudoaneurysm, or occlusion of the vessel (Figure 1,2). Partial or complete arterial occlusion may cause a critical decrease in blood flow and in turn oxygen delivery resulting in an ischemic stroke. Vascular dissection may occur spontaneously, be the result of direct blunt trauma or as a complication of angiography. Treatment is either with blood thinning agents i.e. aspirin, plavix or warfarin or with endovascular stenting of the vessel.
Figure 1
Left: Carotid angiogram demonstrating a vascular dissection with resultant narrowing of the vessel (black arrow) with pseudoaneurysm formation (red arrow). Right: Image obtained after stenting of injured vessel showing normalization of vessel diameter and diversion of flow from pseudoaneurysm (black arrows)
Have More Questions about This Condition
Radio host makes airwaves with stroke – and complete recovery
Today, Marisol Vargas is the mother of a vivacious 2½-year-old. But in 2019, she ended up permanently on a daily baby...
Overcoming Essential Tremors: Bob Bosloper’s Story
Reclaiming Your Future: Dana Raleigh’s Story
It Was, Indeed, a Problem Unfortunately, Dana had multiple fractures in her back that she was either born with or...
Flourishing After Parkinson’s Diagnosis: Sandy Deck’s Story
This video highlights the story of Sandy Deck, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and struggled with…
Discovering New Strength: Patty Petrula’s Story
Patty Petrula was training for her first triathlon when she collapsed at the gym and was rushed to the hospital, where Dr. Daniel Walzman determined she had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm.
22-year-old Makes Incredible Recovery from Both COVID-19 and Stroke: Danny Dominguez’s Story
As a 22-year-old man, Danny Dominguez isn’t the typical stroke patient. The first time he experienced shortness of breath and headache accompanied by a throbbing sensation in April 2020, he went to a nearby hospital and was sent home with pain medication.
How Neurosurgeon Roy D. Vingan Cured One Patient’s Chronic Back Pain: Stephen Tinney’s Story
Surgery as a Last Resort Many patients with back pain can improve without surgical intervention, and more often than...
Newark Woman Uses Gift Of Hope To Fight Parkinson’s Disease: Susan O’Rourke’s Story
Susan O’Rourke has a gift: she can see hope where others see depression. Now, the president of Newark-based nonprofit Artfront Galleries is harnessing that ability to find a new pathway forward from her battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Surviving Multiple Aneurysms: Michele Blum’s Story
Michele Blum is an actress who lives to be on the stage. But when multiple aneurysms left her in a coma, Michele’s future was far from certain. That’s when Dr. Reza Karimi of New Jersey Brain and Spine entered the stage and found the one path recovery.