Evaluation of a traumatic vertebral artery occlusion.

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Evaluation of a traumatic vertebral artery occlusion.

World Neurosurg. 2017 Feb 27;:

Authors: Renfrow JJ, Frenkel MB, Edwards MS, Wilson JA

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Penetrating neck injury occurs in 5-10% of all trauma cases and carries a significant burden of morbidity and mortality (15%). We describe the evaluation and management of a 25 year-old man shot in the neck with occlusion of the left vertebral artery from its origin to C6. This is a case report where medical data was retrospectively analyzed with institutional IRB approval.
CASE DESCRIPTION: Neurologic examination revealed paresthesias and dysesthesias in a left C8 dermatomal distribution. Computed tomography angiography of the neck demonstrated no opacification of the left vertebral artery from its origin to C6. MRI cervical spine revealed an acute infarct in the left cerebellum. A cerebral angiogram highlighted hemodynamic compromise and the patient was felt to be at significant risk of further cerebral infarction. Augmenting flow to the posterior circulation would mitigate that risk. The patient was taken to the operating room for a transposition of the vertebral artery to the common carotid artery.
CONCLUSIONS: The patient presented with silent cerebellar infarction due to a vertebral artery injury and impending vertebrobasilar insufficency. This case demonstrates clinical evaluation of the posterior circulation and treatment with a bypass technique through mobilization of the vertebral artery from the boney vertebral foramen with anastomosis to the common carotid.

PMID: 28254602 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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