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Fatal Vertebral Artery Injury in Penetrating Cervical Spine Trauma
Joint Authors
Tannoury, Chadi
Degiacomo, Anthony
Source
Case Reports in Neurological Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-5, 5 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-11-12
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
5
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Study Design.
This case illustrates complications to a vertebral artery injury (VAI) resulting from penetrating cervical spine trauma.
Objectives.
To discuss the management of both VAI and cervical spine trauma after penetrating gunshot wound to the neck.
Summary of Background Data.
Vertebral artery injury following cervical spine trauma is infrequent, and a unilateral VAI often occurs without neurologic sequela.
Nevertheless, devastating complications of stroke and death do occur.
Methods.
A gunshot wound to the neck resulted in a C6 vertebral body fracture and C5–C7 transverse foramina fractures.
Neck CT angiogram identified a left vertebral artery occlusion.
A cerebral angiography confirmed occlusion of the left extracranial vertebral artery and patency of the remaining cerebrovascular system.
Following anterior cervical corpectomy and stabilization, brainstem infarction occurred and resulted in death.
Results.
A fatal outcome resulted from vertebral artery thrombus propagation with occlusion of the basilar artery triggering basilar ischemia and subsequent brainstem and cerebellar infarction.
Conclusions.
Vertebral artery injury secondary to cervical spine trauma can lead to potentially devastating neurologic sequela.
Early surgical stabilization, along with anticoagulation therapy, contributes towards managing the combination of injuries.
Unfortunately, despite efforts, a poor outcome is sometimes inevitable when cervical spine trauma is coupled with a VAI.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Tannoury, Chadi& Degiacomo, Anthony. 2015. Fatal Vertebral Artery Injury in Penetrating Cervical Spine Trauma. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1059046
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Tannoury, Chadi& Degiacomo, Anthony. Fatal Vertebral Artery Injury in Penetrating Cervical Spine Trauma. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1059046
American Medical Association (AMA)
Tannoury, Chadi& Degiacomo, Anthony. Fatal Vertebral Artery Injury in Penetrating Cervical Spine Trauma. Case Reports in Neurological Medicine. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1059046
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1059046