Document Type : Case Report

Authors

• Christian David Weber ¹
• Philipp Kobbe ¹
• Christian Herren ¹
• Andreas H. Mahnken ²
• Frank Hildebrand ¹
• Hans-Christoph Pape ¹

¹ RWTH Aachen University

² Dept. of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany

Abstract

While blunt trauma of the head and neck are a common pattern of injury, significant problems related to the prompt diagnosis and optimal management of traumatic artery injuries have been reported in the literature. While patients with major artery injuries might develop hemorrhagic shock very rapidly, patients with blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) can present asymptomatic, but complications like basilar territory infarction, cortical blindness and death may occur. We report the life- and limb-saving management in a 57-year-old hemodynamically unstable trauma patient. The individual developed hemorrhagic shock, and other major complications, including cortical blindness, related to a posterior circulation stroke. Full recovery was achieved by immediate endovascular prosthesis for subclavian artery (SA) rupture and stenting of a traumatic vertebral artery occlusion. Endovascular and alternative treatment options are discussed and the management of subsequent sequelae associated with aggressive anticoagulation in trauma patients is reviewed, including intracranial, abdominal and other sites of secondary hemorrhage.

Keywords

• Subclavian Artery
• Vertebral Artery
• Vascular injuries
• Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI)
• Artery repair/stenting