title: Imaging for blunt carotid and vertebral artery injuries.
abstract: Originally thought to be a rare occurrence, blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) are now diagnosed in approximately 1% of blunt trauma patients. Early imaging of patients has resulted in the diagnosis of BCVIs during the asymptomatic phase, thus allowing prompt treatment. Although the ideal regimen of antithrombotic therapy has yet to be determined, treatment with either antiplatelet agents or anticoagulation has been shown to markedly reduce BCVI-related stroke rate. BCVIs are rare, potentially devastating injuries; appropriate imaging in high-risk patients should be performed and prompt treatment initiated to prevent ischemic neurologic events.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Department of Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 777 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, USA. clay.cothren@dhha.org
authors.forename: Clay Cothren
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Burlew
authors.forename: Walter L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Biffl
mesh_terms: D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging