Traumatic cervical artery dissection in head injury: the value of follow-up brain imaging.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic cervical artery dissection (TCAD) is a relative infrequent complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since TCAD is associated with morbidity in a considerable percentage of patients, it is important to obtain clues for recognising TCAD in this category of patients.


METHODS
Retrospective case-cohort study in severe TBI patients.


RESULTS
Five patients with traumatic cervical artery dissection after severe TBI, leading to ischemic strokes, are described. Secondary deterioration to coma was present in four out of five patients during admission. The diagnosis of TCAD was delayed in most cases because the secondary deterioration was often attributed to multisystem problems related to trauma patients, i.e. shock or hypoxia or medication effects. Local clinical symptoms and signs suggestive of TCAD are difficult to detect in this patient group. In all patients, the CT-scan on admission demonstrated no abnormalities. A follow-up scan at day 2 revealed that in all patients abnormalities in the vascular territories had evolved.


CONCLUSIONS
With this case-cohort study we underline the importance of considering TCAD in severe TBI patients and emphasise the role for standard follow-up brain imaging. Also possible treatment consequences are discussed.
Aries
M J H
MJ
Department of Neurology and Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. m.j.h.aries@neuro.umcg.nl
De Jong
B M
BM
Uyttenboogaart
M
M
Regtien
J G
JG
van der Naalt
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D020215:Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*