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acute

Carotid artery dissection

Carotid dissection is a serious condition in which a tear forms in one of the two main carotid in the neck, allowing blood to enter the artery wall and separate its layers (dissection). This separation can lead to the formation of a blood clot, narrowing of the artery, and restricted blood flow to the brain, potentially resulting in . Symptoms vary depending on the extent and location of the dissection and may include a sudden, severe headache, neck or facial pain, vision changes, a drooping eyelid, and stroke-like symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or loss of coordination.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Sudden, severe headache, neck or facial pain, vision changes, Horner's , -like symptoms

Causes — why it happens

  • ·Spontaneous or traumatic (e.g., minor injuries, neck movement)

How it's found

  • ·, MRI, MRA, CTA

Treatment

  • ·Anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, Stenting, Angioplasty

Complications

  • ·
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.