BackgroundArterial dissection is a rare complication of pregnancy and puerperium. There have been reports of aortic, coronary and cervical artery dissection in association with preeclampsia, however, vertebral artery dissection is rarely reported particularly in the antenatal setting in the presence of a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy (HDP).The general annual incidence of symptomatic spontaneous cervicocephalic arterial dissection is 0.0026 % and a data registry reported that 2.4 % of these occurred in the post-partum period. The actual incidence of vertebral artery dissection in HDP is unknown as the current literature consists of case series and reports only with most documenting adverse outcomes. Given the presence of collateral circulation, unilateral vertebral artery dissections may go unrecognised and may be more common than suspected.Case presentationWe present a case series of four patients with vertebral artery dissection in association with HDP, two of which occurred in the antenatal setting and two in the post-partum setting. All our patients had favourable outcome with no maternal neurological deficit and live infants. Our discussion covers the proposed pathophysiology of vertebral artery dissection in HDP and the management of it.ConclusionOur case series highlights the need to consider VAD an important differential diagnosis when assessing pregnant women with headache and neck pain particularly in the context of HDP

Purpose of investigation:To report a ten-year experience in management of a highly morbid obstetrical condition in placenta accreta (PA) at a tertiary referral centre, uniquely equipped with an integrated Interventional Radiology theatre, with a primary aim to guide best practice. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of all histologically proven PA cases at a tertiary centre in Australia between January 2004 and December 2013. Medical records were reviewed for obstetrics history, operative details, post-operative management and neonatal outcome. Results: Sixteen cases of PA were identified during the time period; 75% had identifiable risk factors for PA and 87.5% of patients were diagnosed antenatally. Mean gestational age at time of delivery was 34 ± 3.4 weeks. Ten cases were performed electively, while the remaining underwent emergency caesarean section. One patient was managed conservatively with placenta left insitu; time to complete resolution of placenta was 71 days. Among patients who underwent hysterectomy (15/16), the proportion of total (n=8) vs. subtotal (n=7) hysterectomy was similar. Average operating time was 123 ± 45.9 minutes. Compared to emergency cases, patients who underwent elective surgery had significantly lower blood loss (2.2 vs. 3.1 L, p < 0.05). Common iliac artery balloons were deployed in eight cases, with a non-statistically significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss (2 vs. 3.2 L, p < 0.05). Fifty percent of patients required ICU admission. Neonatal survival at six months was 93.75% (15/16). Conclusion: The present report demonstrates the importance of timely diagnosis and comprehensive preparation in the surgical management of patients with placenta accreta. The availability of relevant services in the peri-operative phase, including: obstetricians, interventional radiology facility and personnel, intensive care, and neonatology teams, are crucial in achieving optimal outcome for the patient and neonate. In line with reports in the literature, the authors advocate a team-based multidisciplinary approach in a tertiary-level centre for management of this high-risk condition.

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