Ischaemic stroke caused by spontaneous unilateral carotid artery dissection in patient with connective tissue disorder

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous cervical artery dissection is a major cause of ischaemic stroke in young patients. It is supposed that genetic variants associated with connective tissue disorders often lead to neurovascular complications, the management of which remains a challenge. Case presentation: A 30-year-old female was admitted to the Department of Neurology with an episode of visual disturbances, speech problems, and concomitant headache. Computed tomography angiography revealed left internal carotid artery dissection. Magnetic resonance of the brain showed cortical and subcortical acute ischaemic lesions in the left cerebral hemisphere. The patient was diagnosed with vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome based on the clinical course of the disease. Conservative treatment was administered with full neurological recovery. Conclusion: It is very important for clinicians to consider the coexistence of genetically determined connective tissue disorders in young patients who develop arterial dissections.