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Lateral cervical spine dislocation and vertebral artery injury
A D Parent1, H L Harkey, D A Touchstone
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
Neurosurgery
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Lateral cervical spine fractures, though rare, can cause severe vertebral artery injury, leading to stroke. Early diagnosis and individualized management are crucial for patients with this complex injury.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Anterior and posterior cervical spine fractures are well-documented.
- Neurological deficits from cervical injuries are commonly studied.
- Lateral cervical spine fractures and their vascular implications are underrecognized.
Observation:
- This study reports on five cases of cervical spine fractures with lateral dislocation.
- Radiographic and angiographic/postmortem studies were performed.
- Vertebral artery injury was observed in all cases.
Findings:
- Complete occlusion or significant flow impairment of vertebral arteries occurred in all patients.
- Two patients experienced fatal medullary and cerebellar infarction due to traumatic vertebral artery occlusion.
- Vertebral artery injury is a notable complication of lateral cervical fractures.
Implications:
- Diagnosis of associated vascular injuries may necessitate advanced imaging like angiography or MR angiography.
- Management of vertebral artery occlusion or dissection requires a personalized approach.
- Understanding the link between lateral cervical fractures and vertebral artery injury is critical for patient outcomes.