title: Major cerebral vessels injury caused by a seatbelt shoulder strap: case report.
abstract: Major cerebral arterial injury may result from penetrating or blunt trauma. In blunt trauma, clinical suspicion of such injury may not be raised, especially if the cranial CT scan is negative. We report a case of a seatbelt shoulder strap to the neck resulting in injury to three major cerebral vessels as demonstrated by cerebral angiography. Although the initial cranial CT scans were negative, a cerebral infarction ultimately developed. The patient was managed conservatively and recovered most of her functions. The importance of clinical suspicion and cerebral angiography is stressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15212-9986.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Chedid
authors.forename: Z L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Deeb
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Rothfus
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Abla
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Maroon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*