Which cervical movements are expected to reproduce symptoms in cervical artery dissection?

Which cervical movements are expected to reproduce symptoms in cervical artery dissection?

• A. Only flexion movements
• B. Active cervical rotation and stable head
• C. Only trunk rotation with head movement
• D. Passive neck extension movements

Answer: (B)

Active cervical rotation combined with a stable head is the movement that most specifically reproduces symptoms associated with cervical artery dissection. This is due to the positions and forces exerted on the cervical arteries, particularly the vertebral and internal carotid arteries, during rotation. When the head remains stable while the neck turns, there’s an increased stretch and potential shear force applied to the vascular structures. In cases of cervical artery dissection, these movements can lead to compromised blood flow or irritation to the arterial wall, which may elicit symptoms such as pain, dizziness, or neurological deficits. The active rotation can place stress on areas where arterial integrity may be compromised, thereby leading to symptom reproduction. Other movements, such as pure trunk rotation or isolated flexion, do not typically create the same mechanical strain on the cervical arteries and therefore are less likely to reproduce symptoms. Passive neck extension may also not generate the same response as active rotation, since it does not involve the dynamic and potentially hazardous forces acting on the vessels during rotation with a stationary head.

Active cervical rotation combined with a stable head is the movement that most specifically reproduces symptoms associated with cervical artery dissection. This is due to the positions and forces exerted on the cervical arteries, particularly the vertebral and internal carotid arteries, during rotation. When the head remains stable while the neck turns, there’s an increased stretch and potential shear force applied to the vascular structures.

In cases of cervical artery dissection, these movements can lead to compromised blood flow or irritation to the arterial wall, which may elicit symptoms such as pain, dizziness, or neurological deficits. The active rotation can place stress on areas where arterial integrity may be compromised, thereby leading to symptom reproduction.

Other movements, such as pure trunk rotation or isolated flexion, do not typically create the same mechanical strain on the cervical arteries and therefore are less likely to reproduce symptoms. Passive neck extension may also not generate the same response as active rotation, since it does not involve the dynamic and potentially hazardous forces acting on the vessels during rotation with a stationary head.