Citation

Sarkari A, Singh PK, Mahapatra AK. Asian J. Neurosurg. 2016; 11(3): 317.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosurgery, JPN Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/1793-5482.144192

PMID

27366277

PMCID

PMC4849319

Abstract

The vertebral arteries are rarely injured in penetrating neck trauma due to their deep location in the foramen transversarium. These injuries in isolation are not associated with neurological deficits or ischemic changes on radiology as the collaterals are usually sufficient. We report a case of fatal unilateral vertebral artery stab injury leading to bilateral cerebellar and brainstem infarction. The carotid Doppler ruled out the presence of any carotid artery injury. Life-threatening injuries are possible in the presence of hypoplastic contralateral vertebral artery or inadequate flow from the anterior circulation not making up for the deficit. This emphasizes that thorough evaluation and timely management of suspected injuries to even a single vertebral artery should be undertaken.

Language: en