Stroke due to vertebral artery injury

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Vertebral artery injuries can result from seemingly minor neck trauma.
• These injuries may lead to significant neurological deficits.

Observation:

• Five patients (20-57 years) experienced vertebral artery damage after minimal neck injury.
• Two patients had serious neurological deterioration during positioning for imaging.
• Arteriograms revealed dissection, thrombosis, traumatic aneurysms, and arterial stenosis.

Findings:

• Vertebral artery injury is not limited to the upper cervical spine but can occur along its course through the transverse foramina.
• Osteophytes can be implicated at the site of arterial injury.
• Injuries included dissection, thrombosis, aneurysm, and stenosis.

Implications:

• Early diagnosis and management of vertebral artery injury are critical.
• Anticoagulation is a key component in the immediate treatment of these injuries.
• Understanding the full anatomical extent of potential injury is vital for patient care.