Utilisation of a balloon-mounted coronary stent in the treatment of a patient with petrous carotid artery dissection

A man in his 50s presented with acute left-sided weakness, facial drooping and slurred speech, suggestive of a major stroke. Imaging revealed a complete blockage in the right internal carotid artery (ICA) due to dissection. Perfusion studies showed a significant area at risk of infarction. Attempted navigation of standard carotid stents failed due to the tortuosity of the ICA. A balloon-mounted coronary stent was successfully deployed in the petrous ICA segment, restoring blood flow. A follow-up MRI confirmed stent patency, and the patient achieved complete recovery with return to baseline function. Symptomatic carotid artery dissections can be treated with stenting to prevent strokes, however, tortuous ICAs in distal dissections pose a technical challenge. Balloon-mounted coronary stents, though not approved for this use, can offer a feasible solution. This case highlights the need for further research and development of devices for managing dissections in distal locations in tortuous ICAs.

Improving the recognition of cervical arterial dissection in clinical practice: investigation of a five criteria diagnostic support tool

BACKGROUND

Cervical arterial dissection (CeAD) is a serious condition that can mimic a musculoskeletal condition. A diagnostic tool using five key criteria could help prompt early medical referral, but these criteria may occur in healthy people or benign neck pain/headache.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of CeAD criteria in healthy individuals and those with neck pain/headache, and identify refinements needed to improve specificity.

METHODS

An interview and neurological screen to identify the presence of the five criteria was conducted. Definitions were refined and the frequency of the modified criteria in each individual was determined. The criteria were re-administered using data from 37 CeAD cases of the derivation cohort, to examine how the modifications impact sensitivity of the tool.

RESULTS

One hundred healthy and 20 participants with neck pain/headache were interviewed. Most participants had ≤ 2 criteria, mainly age or trauma, 3% had 3 criteria, but had migraine or resolving symptoms. None had >3. Modifications to definitions were needed to improve potential specificity of the tool (96.7%). Changes did not impact sensitivity of the tool (81%). Further refinements may be required.

CONCLUSIONS

Strictly defined CeAD criteria may assist in identifying when to refer, when to wait and monitor, or when management can proceed. Trialing the tool in those with migraine and in emergency departments to calculate risk scores is recommended.

Photophobia as the Presenting Symptom of Internal Carotid Artery Dissection

A 53-year-old man developed right eye photophobia after a hypertensive crisis, followed by right-sided headache and retro-orbital pain. On examination, a right Horner syndrome was evident and an urgent brain and neck Computed Tomography confirmed the suspicion of an internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. While photophobia may occur in many neurological disorders, to our knowledge, it has never been described when the ICA is involved. Possible hypotheses of photophobia caused by carotid artery dissection are discussed.

Management of Cervical Arterial Dissection

Background

Clinical, pathological and radiological advances in recent years have considerably advanced our understanding of the incidence and underlying mechanisms producing dissection of the cervical arteries, which should have implications for medical and, surgical therapy in the near future. This review is a summary of progress to date.

Summary of review

Numerous published studies, primarily over the last decade, have generated a rapidly evolving data base especially in the areas of etiology, neuroimaging and more recently, arterial pathology and its genetic basis.

Conclusion

Dissection of the carotid and vertebral arteries, both intracranially and extracranially, is a major and frequently underdiagnosed cause of stroke, especially in the young. These advances in clinical epidemiological observations, and new radiological and pathological data, are gradually providing an evidence-based rationale for future trials of therapeutic interventions, using both drugs and devices.

Risk Factors and Clinical Presentation of Cervical Arterial Dissection: Preliminary Results of a Prospective Case-Control Study

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional case-control study.

OBJECTIVES

To identify risk factors and clinical presentation of individuals with cervical arterial dissection.

BACKGROUND

Cervical arterial dissection is a common cause of stroke in young people and has in rare cases been associated with cervical manipulative therapy. The mechanism is considered to involve pre-existing arterial susceptibility and a precipitating event, such as minor trauma. Identification of individuals at risk or early recognition of a dissection in progress could help expedite medical intervention and avoid inappropriate treatment.

METHODS

Participants were individuals 55 years of age or younger from the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia with radiologically confirmed vertebral or internal carotid artery dissection and an age- and sex-matched comparison group. Participants were interviewed about risk factors, preceding events, and clinical features of their stroke. Physical examination of joint mobility and soft tissue compliance was undertaken.

RESULTS

Twenty-four participants with cervical arterial dissection and 21 matched comparisons with ischemic stroke but not dissection were included in the study. Seventeen (71%) of the 24 participants with dissection reported a recent history of minor mechanical neck trauma or strain, with 4 of these 17 reporting recent neck manipulative therapy treatment. Cardiovascular risk factors were uncommon, with the exception of diagnosed migraine. Among the participants with dissection, 67% reported transient ischemic features in the month prior to their admission for dissection.

CONCLUSION

Recent minor mechanical trauma or strain to the head or neck appears to be associated with cervical arterial dissection. General cardiovascular risk factors, with the exception of migraine, were not important risk factors for dissection in this cohort. Preceding transient neurological symptoms appear to occur commonly and may assist in the identification of this serious pathology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognosis, level 4.

International framework for examination of the cervical region for potential of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction prior to Orthopaedic Manual Therapy intervention

A consensus clinical reasoning framework for best practice for the examination of the cervical spine region has been developed through an iterative consultative process with experts and manual physical therapy organisations. The framework was approved by the 22 member countries of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (October 2012). The purpose of the framework is to provide guidance to clinicians for the assessment of the cervical region for potential of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction in advance of planned management (inclusive of manual therapy and exercise interventions). The best, most recent scientific evidence is combined with international expert opinion, and is presented with the intention to be informative, but not prescriptive; and therefore as an aid to the clinician's clinical reasoning. Important underlying principles of the framework are that 1] although presentations and adverse events of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction are rare, it is a potentially serious condition and needs to be considered in musculoskeletal assessment; 2] manual therapists cannot rely on the results of one clinical test to draw conclusions as to the presence or risk of Cervical Arterial Dysfunction; and 3] a clinically reasoned understanding of the patient's presentation, including a risk:benefit analysis, following an informed, planned and individualised assessment, is essential for recognition of this condition and for safe manual therapy practice in the cervical region. Clinicians should also be cognisant of jurisdictionally specific requirements and obligations, particularly related to patient informed consent, when intending to use manual therapy in the cervical region.

Bilateral spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection with both early and very late recanalization: A case report

Spontaneous bilateral internal carotid artery dissection has frequently been described in the literature as a cause of stroke. In more than half of the patients with internal carotid artery dissection, recanalization occurs early after the event and is unusual later than 6 months after onset of the dissection. We describe a patient with ischemic stroke due to left internal carotid artery occlusion in the extracranial segment. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and early vessel recanalization did not occur. Ten months later, he developed contralateral internal carotid occlusion in the intracranial tract, which was followed by early complete recanalization. Anticoagulation therapy was continued and, 16 months after the initial event, the left internal carotid artery unexpectedly also reopened.

Vertebral artery dissection as an extremely rare cause of spinal epidural hematoma: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To present a patient with a cervico-thoracic ventrally located epidural hematoma caused by dissection and subsequent bleeding of the cervical portion of the vertebral artery.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA

Non traumatic epidural hematoma is a rare entity. The etiology usually is not clarified: a venous origin is usually suspected although an arterial source is also possible.

CLINICAL REPORT

A 32-year-old woman presented with a ventrally located cervico-thoracic epidural hematoma caused by non traumatic dissection and dissecting aneurysm rupture of the cervical portion of the vertebral artery. The dissection was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography. The patient had no neurological symptoms and was treated by conservative methods. Follow up imaging showed healing of the vertebral artery and resorption of the epidural hematoma.

CONCLUSION

Dissection of the cervical portion of the vertebral artery with subsequent perivascular bleeding is not well recognized as a possible cause of a spinal epidural hematoma. Even though this entity and the underlying cause may be rare, we suggest a vigilant search for vertebral artery injury in cases of ventrally located cervical and upper thoracic epidural hematoma.

Cervical arterial dysfunction: knowledge and reasoning for manual physical therapists

SYNOPSIS

This clinical commentary provides evidence-based information regarding adverse cerebrovascular events in the context of manual therapy assessment and management of the cervical spine. Its aim is to facilitate clinical decision making during diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting to the therapist with cervicocranial pain. Rather than focusing on a traditional view of premanipulative testing as the cornerstone for decision making, we present information concerning the clinical presentation of specific vascular conditions. Additionally, we discuss the assessment and management of musculoskeletal pain in the presence of risk factors for cerebrovascular accident. It is proposed that vascular "red flag" presentations mimic neuromusculoskeletal cervicocranial syndromes. Invariably, the 2 conditions coexist. This reasoning presupposes that some patients who have poor clinical outcomes, or a serious adverse response to treatment, may be those who actually present with undiagnosed vascular pathology. We use 2 case reports to demonstrate how incorporating vascular knowledge into clinical reasoning processes may influence clinical decision making.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 5.

Recanalization of Spontaneous Carotid Artery Dissection

Background and Purpose— We set out to investigate the predictors and time course for recanalization of spontaneous dissection of the cervical internal carotid artery (SICAD).

Methods— We prospectively included 249 consecutive patients (mean age, 45±11 years) with 268 SICAD. Ultrasound examinations were performed at presentation, during the first month, and then at 3, 6, and 12 months, and clinical follow-ups after 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results— Of 268 SICADs, 20 (7.5%) presented with ≤50% stenosis, 31 (11.6%) with 51% to 80% stenosis, 92 (34.3%) with 81% to 99% stenosis, and 125 (46.6%) with an occlusion. Antithrombotic treatment included anticoagulation in 174 (67%) patients, aspirin in 64 (24%) patients, and aspirin followed by anticoagulation or vice versa in 22 (8%) patients. Follow-up ultrasound showed normal findings in 160 (60%), ≤50% stenosis in 27 (10%), 51% to 80% stenosis in 4 (1%), 81% to 99% stenosis in 26 (10%), and occlusion in 51 (19%) vessels. The rate of complete recanalization was 16% at 1 month, 50% at 3 months, and 60% at 6 and 12 months. Initial occlusion of the dissected vessels reduced the odds of recanalization (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.2–7.3; P <0.001), whereas the occurrence of local symptoms and signs only at presentation were independently associated with complete recanalization (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.8; P =0.048).

Conclusions— These results suggest that recanalization of SICAD occurs mainly within the first 6 months after the onset of symptoms. Initial occlusion reduces the likelihood of complete recanalization, whereas presentation with local symptoms and signs only increases it.

Manual therapy and cervical arterial dysfunction, directions for the future: a clinical perspective

This paper offers a contemporary, evidence-based perspective on the issue of adverse neurovascular events related to cervical spine manual therapy. The purpose of this perspective is to challenge traditional thought and practice and to recognize areas where practice and research should develop. By considering the themes presented in this paper, the clinician can broaden his or her approach to neurovascular assessment in line with contemporary evidence and thought. We present information based on clinically relevant questions. The nature of vertebrobasilar insufficiency and the utility of pre-treatment testing are examined in light of contemporary evidence. In addition, we report on internal carotid artery pathology, and the significance of appreciating atherosclerosis in clinical decision-making. These later two areas are not commonly recognized within manual therapy literature, and we suggest that their importance to differential diagnosis of head and neck pain, as well as estimating treatment related risk, is paramount. We propose that the term cervical arterial dysfunction is more appropriate than classically used nomenclature. This term refers more accurately and completely to the range of pathologies at different anatomical sites that manual therapists treating patients with head and neck pain are likely to encounter. Finally, we present a brief review of the medico-legal status pertaining to this area. Although this is English law-related, the themes derived from this section are of interest to all manual therapists.

Cervical arterial dysfunction assessment and manual therapy

In this paper, we present a clinical overview of cervical arterial dysfunction (CAD) for manual therapists who treat patients presenting with cervical pain and headache syndromes. An overview of vertebrobasilar arterial insufficiency (VBI) is given, with reference to assessment procedures recommended by commonly used guidelines. We suggest that the evidence supporting contemporary practice is limited and present a more holistic, evidence-based approach to considering CAD. This approach considers typical pain patterns and clinical progressions of both vertebrobasilar, and internal carotid arterial pathologies. Attention to the risk factors and pathomechanics of arterial dysfunction is also given. We suggest that consideration of the information provided in this Masterclass will enhance the manual therapist's clinical reasoning with regard to differential diagnosis of cervical pain syndromes, and prediction of serious adverse reactions to treatment.