Citation

Rigby R, Agrawal S. Clin. Pract. Cases Emerg. Med. 2022; 6(2): 146-150.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine)

DOI

10.5811/cpcem.2022.1.55058

PMID

35701347

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic carotid artery dissections (CAD) are rare but produce potentially devastating injuries. Most patients develop symptoms within 72 hours of traumatic injury.

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 33-year-old, previously healthy male who presented to the emergency department for evaluation of transient, right-sided facial droop with visual changes. His symptoms began 12 days after falling off a scooter. Imaging revealed an extracranial internal CAD.

CONCLUSION: Symptoms of CAD may present weeks after blunt trauma, making clinical diagnosis difficult. Clinicians must have high suspicion for vascular injury and consider neuroimaging in cervical flexion/extension injuries.

Language: en