Isolated Cervical Pain Revealing a Common Carotid Artery Dissection in a Child Following a Minor Trauma: A First Pediatric Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND

Cervical artery dissections are not exceptional in the pediatric population. Typically, it affects the internal carotid artery or the vertebral artery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of common carotid artery (CCA) dissection in a child.

CASE

We present a case of a 7-year-old-boy admitted to our neurology department complaining of cervical pain after a minor neck trauma. The neurological examination was normal. The ultrasound showed a mural hematoma with an intimal flap. The magnetic resonance angiography revealed an irregular segment of the left CCA just before its bifurcation. The diagnosis of an acute dissection on the left CCA was confirmed and antiplatelet therapy was started.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of cervical artery dissections remains a challenge because of its variable clinical presentation. It should be suspected in the context of neck trauma and treatment should be initiated rapidly to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke.