Brain Attack - Stroke from Carotid Dissection

How is the condition diagnosed?

A magnetic resonance angiogram, which involves injecting a dye into an artery or blood vessel for better viewing, may be ordered to detect carotid dissection. In this test, the carotid artery of a person with carotid dissection will show what is called a string sign. This is described as an elongated, irregular, narrow column of dye in the artery.

Cranial MRIs and cranial CT scans may be ordered to show the type, size, and location of the stroke.