Spontaneous dissection of the carotid artery.

Twenty-seven patients with spontaneous dissection have been managed between 1966 and 1982. Most presented with focal neurologic symptoms and 33% had had a completed stroke. Because of early failures of attempted operative repair, expectant management was adopted in 17 patients, none of whom had further neurologic events. The artery had re-expanded to a new normal caliber in 9 of 10 patients evaluated by angiography.