Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society  2004;35(6):625-627

Vertebral Artery Injury Following Blunt Trauma to the Cervical Spine Case Report and Literature Review.

Choong Hyo KIM 1 ; Keun Tae CHO ; Chun Kee CHUNG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Vertebral artery; Vascular injury; Blunt injury; Cervical spine; Magnetic resonance angiography

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Vertebral artery injury may occur following blunt trauma to the cervical spine and can produce severe neurological deficit. We report upon two patients having vertebral artery injury following blunt trauma to the cervical spine. The first one developed a cerebellar infarct and the second cervical cord ischemia. The possibility of vertebral artery injury should be considered in patients with cervical spine injury, especially in those having a subluxation or fracture of the facet joint. Early signs of vertebral artery injury may be silent. Non-invasive techniques, such as magnetic resonance angiography should be utilized in such cases.