Neurology
Cervical Artery Dissection
Common cause of stroke in young adults — neck pain, Horner's, ischaemic stroke; CTA/MRA, antiplatelet vs anticoagulation.
Source: ESO 2024; AHA/ASA 2021
Step 1 of ~3
info
Recognise
Cause of ~25% of strokes in adults <45y. Carotid dissection: ipsilateral neck pain, headache, Horner's, anterior circulation stroke. Vertebral dissection: posterior neck pain, occipital headache, posterior circulation stroke (vertigo, ataxia, diplopia, dysarthria). Triggers: minor neck trauma (sport, manipulation, vehicle accident), connective tissue (Marfan, EDS, FMD), pregnancy / postpartum, recent infection.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Aspirin (Loading Dose) · Antiplatelet — ACS / Ischaemic Stroke
- Alteplase (tPA) · Thrombolytic — Ischaemic Stroke / Massive PE
- Clopidogrel (Stroke/TIA Secondary Prevention) · Antiplatelet (P2Y12 Inhibitor)
- Dipyridamole (Secondary Stroke Prevention) · Antiplatelet — Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor / Adenosine Uptake Inhibitor
- Ticagrelor · Antiplatelet
- Prasugrel · Antiplatelet
Pathways
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.