Cerebrovascular ischemic events in wind instrument players.

Two cases of ischemic stroke due to carotid artery dissection occurring during wind instrument playing, probably caused by increased intrathoracic and subsequent intrapharyngeal pressure, are presented. A review of the literature revealed three similar patients with other types of cerebrovascular events, such as paradoxical cerebral embolism due to a patent foramen ovale and spinal epidural hematoma during trumpet playing.