Arterial Dissection

Blood within the wall of a major artery may produce problems for the distal circulation if the lumen is compromised. It can also weaken the wall integrity leading to rupture and consequent hemorrhage. If the affected vessels involved include the carotid, vertebral, or basilar arteries the consequence for the central nervous system become immediately obvious. Dissecting aneurysms of the major craniocervical vessels often present with neuro-ophthalmic signs and symptoms. The increasing frequency of diagnosis is directly related to heightened clinical awareness and improvement in our ability to assay the normal vascular anatomy and physiology.