Subclavian artery dissection and triple infarction of the nervous system

Arch Neurol. 2005 Dec;62(12):1917-9. doi: 10.1001/archneur.62.12.1917.

Abstract

Background: Subclavian artery dissection is a rare entity. It is usually associated with anomalous aortic vasculature. Only with trauma or catheterization procedures is subclavian artery dissection with normal aortic vasculature reported.

Patient: We describe a patient with intrascapular pain, an occipital headache, and 3 distinct infarctions in the nervous system. He had spontaneous subclavian artery dissection with normal aortic vasculature.

Conclusion: Subclavian artery dissections should be suspected in patients with intrascapular pain, occipital or cervical pain, and symptoms within the posterior circulation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Infarction / etiology*
  • Brain Infarction / pathology
  • Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Cerebellum / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Neck Pain / etiology
  • Neck Pain / pathology
  • Paralysis / etiology
  • Paralysis / pathology
  • Paralysis / physiopathology
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology
  • Polyradiculopathy / pathology
  • Polyradiculopathy / physiopathology
  • Recovery of Function
  • Shoulder Pain / etiology
  • Shoulder Pain / pathology
  • Shoulder Pain / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Ischemia / pathology
  • Subclavian Steal Syndrome / complications*
  • Subclavian Steal Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Subclavian Steal Syndrome / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed