Carotid artery dissection caused by Eagle syndrome

Abstract

Cervical artery dissection is caused by the separation of the vessel wall layers following either a tear in the intima or rupture of the vasa vasorum, with bleeding within the media, and is a potential source of thromboembolism, resulting in cerebral ischemia. Cervical artery dissection can be traumatic or spontaneous; however, the exact pathophysiology of a dissection is rarely identified. We report a case of carotid artery dissection caused by stylocarotid artery syndrome (Eagle syndrome), treated by surgical resection of the styloid process.

Keywords

• Carotid arteries
• Dissection
• Eagle syndrome
• Styloid process