title: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a context of isolated cervical spine fracture: CT angiogram as an early detector of blunt carotid artery trauma.
abstract: Blunt carotid injury associated with cervical spine fractures is a rare entity but potentially lethal. An initial, clinically silent period can be misleading. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are mandatory to avoid neurological damages and death. We present the case of a 36-year-old man diagnosed with an isolated cervical spine fracture, where an associated carotid artery lesion was initially overlooked and diagnosis was made after development of a neurological deterioration secondary to a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). We discuss a simple algorithm that can be used to make the diagnosis, even during the clinically asymptomatic period of this injury.
authors.affiliation: Bicêtre hospital, 78, General-Leclerc avenue, 94270 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France. ramirachkidi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El Rachkidi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soubeyrand
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Court
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D035583:Rare Diseases; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery