Young stroke patients. An angiographic study.

In 59 young stroke patients without predisposing conditions (thromboembolic mechanisms, diabetes, cardiac disease, coagulation disturbances), the angiographic findings and the clinical observations in combination make arterial dissection the most probable diagnosis in 45 patients. In an additional 7, this diagnosis remains as a possible diagnosis. It is suggest that in patients under 40 years of age with no predisposing disease and with sudden onset of neurologic deficits, preceded or accompanied by headache and/or neck pain and often associated with physical strain, arterial dissection should be regarded as the most likely diagnosis.