Blunt Cerebrovascular Trauma

Elizabeth A Gilliam, MD/MPH, John Petty, MD, Francois Trappey, Jeremy J Johnson, MD, P. Cameron Mantor, MD, MHA

Introduction

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) has become increasingly recognized in the pediatric population as a serious injury with potentially devastating consequences. However, compared to adults, there is a relative paucity of evidence based guidelines regarding screening and treatment the pediatric population. BCVIs include carotid or vertebral artery intimal tears, dissection and possible pseudoaneurysm formation which may lead to bleeding, stroke or significant neurological deficits - especially with delay in diagnosis and treatment [1]. The challenge to the clinician lies in the initial asymptomatic nature of these injuries.

BCVI visual abstract

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