Asymptomatic dissection of craniocervical arteries in combination with severe cervical spine fractures.
Cervical spine fractures and traumatic dissection of craniocervical arteries are a common combination after severe trauma to the head and neck. Usually, severe symptoms lead the way to diagnosis. We report the case of a young woman involved in a high-velocity car accident without leading neurological symptoms but the threatening combination of dislocation fractures of the C6th/C7th/Th1th vertebrae and dissections of both carotid arteries and one vertebral artery. This case illustrates the need for quick and sufficient clinical diagnostic workup and evaluation and a well-scheduled treatment plan to combine the management of the spinal column fractures and the vascular injury. A review of the relevant literature and therapeutic approaches is presented.
Dienstknecht
Thomas
T
Department of Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. thomas.dienstknecht@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Ernstberger
Antonio
A
Nerlich
Michael
M
Angele
Peter
P
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000209:etiology*