Unraveling the Links between Chronic Inflammation, Autoimmunity, and Spontaneous Cervicocranial Arterial Dissection

Advances in imaging techniques have led to a rise in the diagnosis of spontaneous cervicocranial arterial dissection (SCCAD), which is now considered a common cause of stroke in young adults. However, our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying SCCAD remains limited. Prior studies have proposed various factors contributing to arterial wall weakness or stress as potential causes for SCCAD. A combination of biopsies, case reports, and case-control studies suggests that inflammatory changes and autoimmunity may play roles in the cascade of events leading to SCCAD. In this review, we examine the close relationship between SCCAD, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases, aiming to explore potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms connecting these conditions. While some relevant hypotheses and studies exist, direct evidence on this topic is still relatively scarce. Further investigation of the underlying mechanisms in larger clinical cohorts is needed, and the exploration of animal models may provide novel insights.