What causes cervical artery dissection?

What causes cervical artery dissection?

Certain medical conditions such as Marfan or vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndromes – types of genetic connective tissue diseases – fibromuscular dysplasia or atherosclerosis (the accumulation of fatty plaque in the artery walls) put individuals at risk for developing cervical artery dissection. Cervical artery dissection in these patients is called "spontaneous," meaning that it occurs without trauma to the head or neck.

Cervical artery dissection also can occur in the general population as a result of blunt trauma injury to the neck, such as a high-speed car accident or a fall, with chiropractic manipulation, or from hyperextension of the neck in sports or exercise. Cervical artery dissection has also been reported after heavy weight lifting.

High blood pressure and smoking increase the risk of cervical artery dissection. Some cases of cervical artery dissection also have been reported after invasive diagnostic procedures.