Question

Topic: Cervical arterial dysfunction

Q1) make Diagnostic investigations such as : imaging, lab tests etc. that ate employed to make the diagnosis of cervical arterial dysfunction and the expected result of these investigations.

Q)2 what is the Medical management used to manage cervical arterial dysfunction eg: medication or surgery.

Answer 1

Cervical arterial dysfunction is a broad term to describe a variety of vascular conditions in which there is restriction of blood flow to the brain. It has to be taken into account when treating the cervical spine.

To diagnose the condition, the doctor will perform a physical test and order for a series of diagnostic tests. To confirm the diagnosis. The physical tests will include recording the blood pressure, craniovertebral ligament testing, positional testing, and palpation of the carotid artery by doppler test. Other tests will be CT or MRI scans to look at the blood vessels at the back of the head, MRA, ECG and blood tests to evaluate clotting ability. X-ray of the arteroes also help to detect any abnormality.

Treatment of CAD includes manual therapy who treat patients with cervical pain and headache syndromes. However, there are some risks in manual physiotherapy like injury to the intervertebral disc, ligaments and nerves in the region. Any stress on the arterial vessels around the neck have to be avoided.

Surgery is a remote option and is mostly avoided due to the location and function of the cervical artery. The surgeon has to assess the conditions like the patient's age and health, other medical complications and if the surgery will provide any relief to the patient. They have to weigh the risks involved and then only take a decision if surgery is feasible or not.

Medication and physiotherapy are the preferred option for management of CAD.