Spinal masquerader - Cervical vascular lesions

Signs & symptoms

• Cranial nerve disturbance.
• Horner syndrome.
• Altered neurology one sided weakness.
• Pulsatile mass in carotid area.
• Intense pain around jaw/ head/ neck.
• Syncope.
• Memory problems/ confusion.

Risk factors

• PMH: cerebrovascular disease/ DM/ hypertension/ AF/ hypercholesterolemia.
• Smoker or previous smoker.
• Obesity.
• Family history: Carotid dissection.
• Subclavian Steal syndrome (causes vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI))
• Connective tissue disease.
• Blunt penetrating trauma.
• Cervical manipulation.

Refer to local ED, follow vascular pathway.