Carotid artery dissection

Carotid Artery Dissection

Carotid artery dissection (/kəˈrɒtɪd/ /ˈɑːrtəri/ /dɪˈsɛkʃən/) refers to a tear in the carotid artery that allows blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall. This can lead to the formation of a blood clot, which can cause a stroke if it blocks blood flow to the brain.

Etymology

The term "carotid" is derived from the Greek word "karos," which means "stupor" or "sleep," reflecting the ancient understanding that compression of the carotid arteries could lead to unconsciousness. "Artery" comes from the Greek "arteria," meaning "windpipe," while "dissection" is derived from the Latin "dissecare," meaning "to cut apart."

Symptoms

Symptoms of carotid artery dissection can include headache, neck pain, Horner's syndrome (a combination of drooping eyelid, constricted pupil, and lack of sweating on one side of the face), and transient ischemic attack or stroke symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, and loss of vision in one eye.

Causes

Carotid artery dissection can be caused by trauma to the neck, such as from a car accident or sports injury, or it can occur spontaneously. Certain genetic disorders that affect the blood vessels, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome, can also increase the risk of carotid artery dissection.

Treatment

Treatment for carotid artery dissection typically involves medications to prevent blood clots, such as aspirin or anticoagulants. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair the artery.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Carotid artery dissection
Wikipedia's article - Carotid artery dissection

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Carotid artery dissection