Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
30-4-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
30-4-2025 4:00 PM
Description
Traumatic carotid artery dissections (TCAD) are rare and occasionally present with third-order Horner's syndrome, defined as ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis. We present a case involving a 53-year-old female with no significant past medical history who presented to the emergency department after tripping and falling down a flight of stairs. Over three weeks, the patient had persistent tinnitus, right neck pain and, on the exam, was noted to have right-sided miosis and ptosis. These exam findings led us to obtain a CT angiogram of the head and neck, which revealed a bilateral internal carotid dissection. The patient was taken for cerebral angiography, which confirmed the diagnosis, and was started on Aspirin and Plavix. Horner's syndrome in the setting of trauma, while subtle, can reveal carotid artery dissections.
Embargo Period
6-2-2025
Included in
Bilateral Carotid Artery Dissection After a Fall: A Case of Horner's Syndrome Revealed on Examination
Philadelphia, PA
Traumatic carotid artery dissections (TCAD) are rare and occasionally present with third-order Horner's syndrome, defined as ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis. We present a case involving a 53-year-old female with no significant past medical history who presented to the emergency department after tripping and falling down a flight of stairs. Over three weeks, the patient had persistent tinnitus, right neck pain and, on the exam, was noted to have right-sided miosis and ptosis. These exam findings led us to obtain a CT angiogram of the head and neck, which revealed a bilateral internal carotid dissection. The patient was taken for cerebral angiography, which confirmed the diagnosis, and was started on Aspirin and Plavix. Horner's syndrome in the setting of trauma, while subtle, can reveal carotid artery dissections.