Arterial Dissection

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

The hallmark sign of an arterial dissection in children is any symptom of an ischemic stroke, particularly weakness on one side of the body. Other effects of stroke may include:

• Sudden onset of difficulty with speaking, such as slurred or garbled speech
• Seizures
• Sudden onset of partial or complete blindness

Although adults with an arterial dissection typically experience headaches and head and neck pain, these symptoms are less common in children.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated August 15, 2007