title: Locked-in syndrome resulting from cervical spine gunshot wound.
abstract: A patient sustained a cervical spine gunshot wound resulting in immediate quadriplegia and obstruction of both vertebral arteries. After an 8-hour delay, basilar artery thrombosis occurred and resulted in locked-in syndrome. Bilateral occlusion of the vertebral arteries after penetrating cervical trauma has not been reported previously. The incidence and treatment of traumatic basilar thrombosis and locked-in syndrome is reviewed. Rapid diagnosis of ascending thrombosis and prompt treatment with hyperdynamics and anticoagulation may improve outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Trask
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001488:Basilar Artery / Q000293:injuries; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications*