Dissection of cervical arteries constitutes a medical emergency. Although relatively rarely, activities classified as sports and recreation may be a cause of arterial dissection independently of neck or head trauma. The purpose of the present paper was to present a series of cases of cerebrum-cervical arterial dissection in individuals during or soon after the practice of these sports activities.
Methods
Retrospective data on patients with arterial dissection related to sports and recreation.
Results
Forty-one cases were identified. The most frequently affected vessel was the vertebral artery. A large variety of activities had a temporal relationship to arterial dissection, and jogging was the most frequent of these. This is the largest case series in the literature.
Conclusion
Arterial dissection may be a complication from practicing sports.
dissection; carotid artery; vertebral arterial; stroke
