Vertebral artery dissection
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
Vertebral artery dissection | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Synonyms | N/A |
Pronounce | N/A |
Specialty | N/A |
Symptoms | Headache, neck pain, dizziness, visual disturbances, stroke |
Complications | Stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage |
Onset | Sudden |
Duration | Variable |
Types | N/A |
Causes | Trauma, connective tissue disorders, spontaneous |
Risks | Hypertension, smoking, migraine, fibromuscular dysplasia |
Diagnosis | MRI, CT angiography, Doppler ultrasound |
Differential diagnosis | Migraine, tension headache, cervical spondylosis |
Prevention | N/A |
Treatment | Anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy, surgery |
Medication | N/A |
Prognosis | Variable, depends on severity and treatment |
Frequency | Rare |
Deaths | N/A |
Vertebral Artery Dissection (VAD) is a medical condition characterized by a tear in the inner lining of the vertebral artery, which is a crucial vessel supplying blood to the brain. This tear allows blood to enter the arterial wall, forming a clot that may thicken the artery wall and potentially impede blood flow. VAD can lead to serious complications, including stroke, due to disrupted blood supply to the brain.
Causes
VAD may occur spontaneously or as a result of:
- Physical trauma to the neck, such as from a car accident or sports injury
- Sudden neck movements
- Chiropractic manipulations
- Underlying connective tissue disorders
Symptoms
Symptoms of VAD can vary but commonly include:
- Severe head and neck pain, often described as different from regular headaches
- Symptoms of a stroke, such as difficulty speaking, impaired coordination, and visual loss
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tinnitus
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of VAD typically involves imaging studies, such as:
- Contrast-enhanced CT scan: To visualize blood flow and the condition of the artery
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): To provide detailed images of the vertebral arteries and surrounding tissues
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): To assess the blood vessels in more detail
Treatment
Treatment for VAD aims to prevent stroke and may include:
- Anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications to prevent blood clot formation
- Thrombolytic therapy in acute cases to dissolve existing clots
- In severe cases, surgical interventions such as stenting or angioplasty may be considered
- Monitoring and managing risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Complications
Without prompt treatment, VAD can lead to:
- Ischemic stroke
- Permanent neurological damage
- Increased risk of recurrent dissections
See Also
External Links
Transform your life with W8MD's budget GLP-1 injections from $125.
W8MD offers a medical weight loss program to lose weight in Philadelphia. Our physician-supervised medical weight loss provides:
- Most insurances accepted or discounted self-pay rates. We will obtain insurance prior authorizations if needed.
- Generic GLP1 weight loss injections from $125 for the starting dose.
- Also offer prescription weight loss medications including Phentermine, Qsymia, Diethylpropion, Contrave etc.
NYC weight loss doctor appointments
Start your NYC weight loss journey today at our NYC medical weight loss and Philadelphia medical weight loss clinics.
- Call 718-946-5500 to lose weight in NYC or for medical weight loss in Philadelphia 215-676-2334.
- Tags:NYC medical weight loss, Philadelphia lose weight Zepbound NYC, Budget GLP1 weight loss injections, Wegovy Philadelphia, Wegovy NYC, Philadelphia medical weight loss, Brookly weight loss and Wegovy NYC
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen, Prab R. Tumpati, MD