Abstract
A 12-year-old girl had minor head trauma, with resultant mild headache, one day prior
to onset of an apparently generalized tonic clonic seizure, right hemiparesis and
dysphasia. A cranial CT scan showed evidence of a left middle cerebral artery infarct.
Despite ventilation, fluid restriction, mannitol, thiopental infusion and intracranial
pressure monitoring she deteriorated and died. Autopsy demonstrated dissection of
the left middle cerebral artery with an intact internal carotid artery and no evidence
of vasculitis. Middle cerebral artery dissection in children is very rare. Most reported
cases are diagnosed at autopsy. The pathogenesis of cerebral artery dissection may
include proceeding minor head trauma or exertion and this should be sought for in
the history.
Key words
Childhood stroke - Cerebral artery dissection
