A Workout to Remember: CrossFit-Induced Vertebral Artery Dissection

Abstract

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is a cause of brain stem stroke in the younger population and is commonly associated with trauma, sudden neck movement, or chiropractic manipulations. In this case, a 28-year-old male with a non-significant past medical history who recently started a CrossFit boot camp presented to the emergency department with right-sided neck pain, dysarthria, mild right gaze paresis, right dysmetria, and right facial droop with symptoms of Horner’s syndrome. Imaging results revealed an age-indeterminate left lateral cerebellar infarct with right VAD. The goal of management is to prevent stroke, which is done with anticoagulation and potentially thrombolytic therapy if there are no contraindications. The patient received thrombolytic therapy and was treated with conservative management. The prognosis is good for patients who survive the initial dissection and are treated in this manner. It is important to obtain a thorough history of young and healthy patients who present with concerning neurologic symptoms so that precipitating activities are not missed.