Pediatric Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries: Approach and Management.

ABSTRACT: The low incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) reported in pediatric studies (<1%) might be related to an underreporting due to both the absence of current screening guidelines and the use of inadequate imaging techniques. This research is a review of the literature limited to the last 5 years (2017-2022) about the approach and management of BCVI in pediatrics. The strongest predictors for BCVI were the presence of basal skull fracture, cervical spine fracture, intracranial hemorrhage, Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 8, mandible fracture, and injury severity score more than 15. Vertebral artery injuries had the highest associated stroke rate of any injury type at 27.6% (vs 20.1% in carotid injury). The sensitivity of the well-established screening guidelines of BCVI varies when applied to the pediatric population (Utah score - 36%, 17%, Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) guideline - 17%, and Denver criteria - 2%). A recent metaanalysis of 8 studies comparing early computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) to digital subtraction angiography for BCVI detection in adult trauma patients demonstrated high variability in the sensitivity and specificity of CTA across centers. Overall, CTA was found to have a high specificity but low sensitivity for BCVI. The role of antithrombotic as well as the type and duration of therapy remain controversial. Studies suggest that systemic heparinization and antiplatelet therapy are equally effective.

Epidemiology, repair technique, and predictors of stroke and mortality in penetrating carotid artery injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Penetrating carotid artery injuries (PCAI) are significantly morbid and deadly, often presenting in extremis with associated injuries and central nervous system deficit. Repair may be challenging with arterial reconstruction vs ligation role poorly defined. This study evaluated contemporary outcomes and management of PCAI. METHODS: PCAI patients in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2018 were analyzed. Outcomes were compared between repair and ligation groups after additionally excluding external carotid injuries, concomitant jugular vein injuries, and head/spine Abbreviated Injury Severity score of ≥3. Primary end points were in-hospital mortality and stroke. Secondary end points were associated injury frequency and operative management. RESULTS: There were 4723 PCAI (55.7% gunshot wounds, 44.1% stab wounds). Gunshot wounds more frequently had associated brain (73.8% vs 19.7%; P < .001) and spinal cord (7.6% vs 1.2%; P < .001) injuries; stab wounds more frequently had jugular vein injuries (19.7% vs 29.3%; P < .001). The overall in-hospital mortality was 21.9% and the stroke rate was 6.2%. After exclusion criteria, 239 patients underwent ligation and 483 surgical repair. Ligation patients had lower presenting Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) than repair patients (13 vs 15; P = .010). Stroke rates were equivalent (10.9% vs 9.3%; P = .507); however, in-hospital mortality was higher after ligation (19.7% vs 8.7%; P < .001). In-hospital mortality was higher in ligated common carotid artery injuries (21.3% vs 11.6%; P = .028) and internal carotid artery injuries (24.5% vs 7.3%; P = .005) compared with repair. On multivariable analysis, ligation was associated with in-hospital mortality, but not with stroke. A history of neurological deficit before injury lower GCS, and higher Injury Severity Score (ISS) were associated with stroke; ligation, hypotension, higher ISS, lower GCS, and cardiac arrest were associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: PCAI are associated with a 22% rate of in-hospital mortality and a 6% rate of stroke. In this study, carotid repair was not associated with a decreased stroke rate, but did have improved mortality outcomes compared with ligation. The only factors associated with postoperative stroke were low GCS, high ISS, and a history of neurological deficit before injury. Beside ligation, low GCS, high ISS, and postoperative cardiac arrest were associated with in-hospital mortality.

Trauma mechanisms and patterns of blunt cervical vascular injury: A descriptive study using a nationwide trauma registry.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt cervical vascular injury (BCVI) is a non-penetrating trauma to the carotid and/or vertebral vessels following a direct injury to the neck or by the shearing of the cervical vessels. Despite its potentially life-threatening nature, important clinical features of BCVI such as typical patterns of co-occurring injuries for each trauma mechanism are not well known. To address this knowledge gap, we described the characteristics of patients with BCVI to identify the pattern of co-occurring injuries by common trauma mechanisms. METHODS: This is a descriptive study using a Japanese nationwide trauma registry from 2004 through 2019. We included patients aged ≥13 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) with BCVI, defined as a blunt trauma to any of the following vessels: common/internal carotid artery, external carotid artery, vertebral artery, external jugular vein, and internal jugular vein. We delineated characteristics of each BCVI classified according to three damaged vessels (common/internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, and others). In addition, we applied network analysis to unravel patterns of co-occurring injuries among patients with BCVI by four common trauma mechanisms (car accident, motorcycle/bicycle accident, simple fall, and fall from a height). RESULTS: Among 311,692 patients who visited the ED for blunt trauma, 454 (0.1%) patients had BCVI. Patients with common/internal carotid artery injuries presented to the ED with severe symptoms (e.g., the median Glasgow Coma Scale was 7) and had high in-hospital mortality (45%), while patients with vertebral artery injuries presented with relatively stable vital signs. Network analysis showed that head-vertebral-cervical spine injuries were common across four trauma mechanisms (car accident, motorcycle/bicycle accident, simple fall, and fall from a height), with co-occurring injuries of the cervical spine and vertebral artery being the most common injuries due to falls. In addition, common/internal carotid artery injuries were associated with thoracic and abdominal injuries in patients with car accidents. CONCLUSIONS: Based on analyses of a nationwide trauma registry, we found that patients with BCVI had distinct patterns of co-occurring injuries by four trauma mechanisms. Our observations provide an important basis for the initial assessment of blunt trauma and could support the management of BCVI.

Risk Factors and Outcomes Associated with Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in Patients with Mild or Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) represents a spectrum of traumatic injuries to the carotid and vertebral arteries that is an often-overlooked source of morbidity and mortality. Its incidence, risk factors, and effect on outcomes in patients with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI) have not been studied independently. METHODS: The National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2017 was queried to identify patients with mTBI who suffered blunt injuries. BCVI was identified using abbreviated injury scores and included blunt carotid artery injury (BCAI) and blunt vertebral artery injury (BVAI). A binary logistic regression was used to identify patient-related and injury-related factors associated with BCVI. Binary logistic regressions were also performed to evaluate the effect of BCVI on stroke, in-hospital mortality, nonroutine discharge disposition, total length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, and number of days mechanically ventilated. RESULTS: Of 485,880 patients with mTBI, there were 4,382 (0.9%) with BCVI. Cervical spine fracture was the strongest factor associated with BCAI (odds ratio [OR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.77-2.19), followed by mandible fracture and basilar skull fracture. Cervical spine fracture also had the strongest association with BVAI (OR, 18.28; 95% CI, 16.47-20.28), followed by spinal cord injury and neck contusion. Stroke was more common in patients with BCAI (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 4.19-7.21) and BVAI (OR, 7.238; 95% CI, 5.929-8.836). BVAI increased the odds of mortality, but BCAI did not. Both were associated with nonroutine discharge and increased LOS, intensive care unit LOS, and number of days mechanically ventilated. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BCVI in patients with mTBI is low, and it usually does not require invasive treatment. However, it is associated with greater odds of stroke and negative outcomes. Knowledge of risk factors for BCVI may tailor further investigation to aid prompt diagnosis.

Utility of Routine Computed Tomography Angiogram Screening for Blunt Carotid Injury in Isolated Mandible Fractures.

PURPOSE: Determine the incidence of blunt carotid injury (BCAI) in the blunt trauma induced isolated mandible fracture population and determine the utility of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) screening for BCAI in this population. METHODS: A retrospective data review was performed on patients presenting to Boston Medical Center from January 2008 to January 2019 with a diagnosis of mandible fracture. Population selected utilizing ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes for mandible fracture and BCAI. Excluded populations were pediatric (less than 18 years) and penetrating carotid injuries. RESULTS: A total of 1,508 mandible fractures were identified, with 73% (n = 1,103) being isolated injuries. Five BCAIs were identified, and of these, 1 was associated with an isolated mandible fracture (incidence <0.01%). One of 110 isolated mandible fractures screened for BCAI with the use of CTA was positive (incidence 0.9%). CONCLUSIONS: BCAI is a rare finding in isolated mandible fractures. The inclusion of this population as an independent risk factor for BCAI should be questioned. Routine screening with CTA is not warranted.

Penetrating Neck Injury in Two Dutch Level 1 Trauma Centres: the Non-Existent Problem.

OBJECTIVES: Penetrating neck injuries (PNIs) have a low incidence in European trauma populations. Selective non-operative management of PNI has been suggested as a safe alternative to standard surgical neck exploration, but evidence is lacking. This clinical scenario evaluates institutional PNI management, specifically the associated carotid artery injury, and compares it with current guidelines. METHODS: Retrospectively, PNI patients presenting at two Dutch level 1 trauma centres from 2007 to 2015, were identified. International guidelines on PNI management were reviewed and recommendations were assessed in relation to current institutional management, and considering an illustrative case. RESULTS: Two current guidelines on PNI management were reviewed. Both advocate a zone based approach; one recommends a prominent role for computed tomography angiography (CTA) scanning in stable patients, supplemented by endoscopy when indicated. A combined total of 43 PNI patients were identified over a nine year period. Haemodynamically unstable patients and patients with other hard signs (i.e. active bleeding, expanding haematoma, air/saliva leak, massive subcutaneous emphysema) received immediate exploration (n = 9). Haemodynamically stable patients and those responding to resuscitation (transient responders) had a CTA scan (n = 31). Three asymptomatic patients were treated conservatively, and had an uncomplicated clinical course regarding the PNI. In 10 of 14 patients who received surgical exploration, a significant vascular or aerodigestive injury was found and repaired (71%). All patients treated conservatively after CTA scanning had an uncomplicated clinical course regarding the PNI (n = 17). Six patients with penetrating carotid artery injury underwent primary arterial reconstruction, of whom five survived. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical scenario evaluates institutional management in two trauma centres for PNI and associated carotid artery injury, and compares it to current guidelines. In comparison with guideline recommendations, CTA scanning and the so called "No zone" approach appears to have assumed a more prominent role in management of PNI.

Predictors for Pediatric Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury (BCVI): An International Multicenter Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Practice guidelines for adult BCVI patients have been implemented recently, but data for this devastating injury pattern in children are still limited. An international multicenter analysis was performed to characterize BCVI in the pediatric population. METHODS: The TraumaRegister DGU®, a prospectively maintained database, was analyzed (01/2002-12/2015). Pediatric patients (0-17 years) with major injuries [Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 9 points] were included. BCVI was divided into carotid artery injury and vertebral artery injury (VAI). Data of demographics, injury, imaging, therapy, and outcome characteristics were analyzed with SPSS (Version 25, IBM Inc., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: The study cohort included 8128 pediatric trauma patients. We identified 48 BCVIs in 42 children, resulting in an overall prevalence of 0.5%. Carotid injuries were diagnosed more frequently (n = 30; 0.4%) when compared to VAIs (n = 12; 0.1%). The coincidence of head (p = 0.028), facial (p ≤ 0.001), chest (p ≤ 0.001), and spinal injuries (p ≤ 0.001) was higher in BCVI patients. The risk for thromboembolic complications (8.3% vs. 1%, p = 0.026) and in-hospital mortality (38.1% vs. 7.7%, p ≤ 0.001) was excessive in children with BCVI. We identified various predictors for pediatric BCVI and quantified the cumulative impact of these risk factors. CONCLUSION: BCVI is more uncommon in pediatric than in adult trauma patients. Due to the considerable relevance of this injury for both children and adults, special attention should be paid to this entity and associated complications in the early treatment phase after severe pediatric trauma, especially in high-risk children.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Artery Injury and Stroke in Severely Injured Patients: An International Multicenter Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is considered to be a rare entity in patients with high-energy trauma and is a potentially preventable cause of secondary brain damage. If it occurs, it may be fatal or associated with poor outcomes related to devastating complications. We hypothesized that analyses of epidemiology and concomitant injuries may predict the development of BCVI and associated complications. METHODS: The TraumaRegister DGU® (TR-DGU), a prospectively maintained database, was used for retrospective data analysis (01/2009-12/2015). INCLUSION CRITERIA: adult trauma patients (≥16 years) with severe injuries (ISS ≥ 16 points) with and without BCVI. Subgroups: carotid artery injury (CAI) and vertebral artery injury (VAI). The degree of vascular injury was classified according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale values. Demographic, injury, therapy and outcome characteristic data (length of stay, stroke, multiple organ failure and mortality) were collected and analyzed for each patient with SPSS statistics (Version 23, IBM Inc., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Out of 76,480 individuals, a total of 786 patients with BCVI (1%) were identified. The 435 CAI patients included 263 dissections, 78 pseudoaneurysms and 94 bilateral injuries. The 383 VAI patients presented with 198 dissections, 43 pseudoaneurysms, 122 thrombotic occlusions and 20 bilateral injuries. The risk for stroke was excessive in BCVI patients versus controls (11.5 vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001) and increased with vascular injury severity, up to 24.1% in CAI patients and 30.0% in VAI patients. We confirmed that cervical spine injuries were a major BCVI predictor (OR 6.46, p < 0.001, 95% CI 5.34-7.81); furthermore, high-energy mechanisms (OR 1.79), facial fractures (OR 1.56) and general injury severity (OR 1.05) were identified as independent predictors. Basilar skull fractures (BSF) were found with comparable frequency (p = 0.63) in both groups, and the predictive value was found to be insignificant (OR 1.1, p = 0.36, 95% CI 0.89-1.37). Age ≥ 60 years was associated with a decreased risk for BCVI (OR 0.54, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.45-0.65); however, in BCVI patients over 60 years of age, mortality was excessive (OR 4.33, p < 0.001, 95% CI 2.40-7.80). Even after adjusting for head injuries, BCVI-associated stroke remained a significant risk factor for mortality (OR 2.52, p < 0.001, 95% CI 1.13-5.62). CONCLUSION: Our data validated cervical spine injuries as a major predictor, but the predictive value of BSF must be scrutinized. Patient age appears to play a contradictory role in BCVI risk and BCVI-associated mortality. Predicting which patients will develop BCVI remains an ongoing challenge, especially since many patients do not present with concomitant injuries of the head or spine and therefore might not be captured by standard screening criteria.

Limited Clinical Relevance of Vertebral Artery Injury in Blunt Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI), although rare, is more common than previously thought and carries a substantial stroke and mortality risk. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the differences between blunt carotid artery (CA) and vertebral artery (VA) injuries, assess the stroke and death rates related to these injuries, and identify the relationship of Injury Severity Score (ISS) with stroke and mortality in BCVI. METHODS: Using a retrospective review of the trauma registry at a level I trauma center, we identified patients with BCVI. The study period began in January 2003 and ended in July 2014. Demographics, injuries reported, investigative studies performed, and outcomes data were obtained and analyzed. Radiographic images of both blunt CA and VA injuries were reviewed and graded by an independent radiologist, according to the current classification of blunt CA injuries. RESULTS: BCVI involving 114 vessels was identified in 103 patients. This population consisted of 65 males and 38 females with an average age of 45 years (15-92, range). The average ISS was 22 (4-75, range). Cervical spine fracture occurred in 80% of VA injuries (64 total patients). Injuries involved the CA in 33, the VA in 59, and both in 11. The CA group had a higher incidence of traumatic brain injury (61% vs. 46%), ISS (27 vs. 18), and stroke (24% vs. 3%), compared to the VA group. Mortality in the CA group was 30% compared to 3% in the VA group. Patients with high ISS (≥25) had increased stroke rates compared to those with lower (<25) ISS (19% vs. 6.7%). All mortalities occurred with ISS >25. Logistic regression revealed that vessel injured, ISS, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were significant risk factors for mortality. Multivariate analysis demonstrated carotid injury, and lowest GCS were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In this comparison of CA and VA injuries in BCVI, VA injuries were more common and more frequently found with cervical spine fractures than CA injuries. However, VA injuries had a lower incidence of CVA and mortality. A high ISS was associated with stroke and mortality while carotid injury and lowest GCS were independently associated with increased mortality.

Radiotherapy of the neck and carotid stenosis.

The first choice of treatment for neck cancer is often radiotherapy. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the microinflammation after radiotherapy of the neck and the incidence of carotid stenosis. This study reports on patients treated with radiotherapy as part of the treatment for laryngeal cancer in the Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, P.R. China. Sixty-two males and nine females were treated with radiotherapy between 2006 and 3012. The carotid diameter was determined by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common, external and internal carotid artery. Microinflammatory conditions were assessed by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α). Other studied risk factors included age, treatment modalities, radiation dose and energy, the height of the radiation field, and follow-up time. Carotid stenosis was detected in all of the 71 patients. It was mainly clinically unsuspected; 19 patients had sustained a vascular event (14 TIA, 5 CVI) at a median of 3.11 years (range 2.3–5.6 years) following RT. In four of five CVI patients, CVI occurred on the side of the irradiation. Eleven patients who suffered vascular incident had severe stenosis of the carotid artery and 6 had moderate (31-49% of the lumen). Only two patients with mild stenosis on the irradiated side suffered TIAs. Serum hs-CRP levels in carotid stenosis were 9.4 (±SD=5.97) mg/ml, IL-6 = 12.8 (±SD=2.62) pg/ml and TNF-α = 15.4 (±SD=4.49) ng/ml. The clinical detection of asymptomatic carotid stenosis is challenging, and current recommendations regarding the follow-up period should be scrutinized.

Carotid artery dissection and motor vehicle trauma: patient demographics, associated injuries and impact of treatment on cost and length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Blunt carotid arterial injury (BCI) is a rare injury associated with motor vehicle collision (MVC). There are few population based analyses evaluating carotid injury associated with blunt trauma and their associated injuries as well as outcomes. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2003-2010 data was queried to identify patients after MVC who had documented BCI during their hospitalizations utilizing ICD-9-CM codes. Demographics, associated injuries, interventions performed, length of stay, and cost were evaluated. RESULTS: 1,686,867 patients were estimated having sustained MVC; 1,168 BCI were estimated. No patients with BCI had open repair, 4.24 % had a carotid artery stent (CAS), and 95.76 % of patients had no operative intervention. Age groups associated with BCI were: 18-24 (27.8 %), 47-60 (22.3 %), 35-46 (20.6 %), 25-34 (19.1 %), >61 (10.2 %). Associated injuries included long bone fractures (28.5 %), stroke and intracranial hemorrhage (28.5 %), cranial injuries (25.6 %), thoracic injuries (23.6 %), cervical fractures (21.8 %), facial fractures (19.9 %), skull fractures (18.8 %), pelvic fractures (18.5 %), hepatic (13.3 %) and splenic (9.2 %) injuries. Complications included respiratory (44.2 %), bleeding (16.1 %), urinary tract infections (8.9 %), and sepsis (4.9 %). Overall mortality was 14.1 % without differences with regard to intervention (18.5 % vs. 13.9 %; P = 0.36). Stroke and intracranial hemorrhage was associated with a 2.7 times greater risk of mortality. Mean length of stay for patients with BCI undergoing stenting compared to no intervention were similar (13.1 days vs. 15.9 days) but had a greater mean cost ($83,030 vs. $63,200, p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: BCI is a rare injury associated with MVC, most frequently reported in younger patients. Frequently associated injuries were long bone fractures, stroke and intracranial hemorrhage, thoracic injuries, and pelvic fractures which are likely associated with the force/mechanism of injury. The majority of patients were treated without intervention, but when CAS was utilized, it did not impact mortality and trended toward increased costs.

Preoperative Imaging Features are Associated with Surgical Complications Following Carotid Body Tumor Resection.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for carotid body tumors (CBTs). Although perioperative complications such as carotid artery injury and neurological deficits occur infrequently, they can be devastating. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clinical factors or preoperative imaging findings can accurately predict perioperative complications. METHODS: Twenty CBTs were resected from 19 patients. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck were used to measure the degree of circumferential involvement of the CBT to the internal carotid artery (ICA), carotid artery narrowing, tumor length, tumor volume, and the distance from the tip of the C2 dens to the superior aspect of the CBT (dens-CBT). Operative reports and Shamblin classification (I-III) of each tumor were independently reviewed. Preoperative imaging features were compared to perioperative cranial nerve injury (CNI), rates of carotid artery injury, and major carotid artery repairs, as well as Shamblin classifications≥II. RESULTS: CNI was associated with a high-lying CBT (dens-CBT=1.8 vs. 2.9 cm, p<0.01). All four patients with CNI had a dens-CBT of <3 cm. Neither tumor length and tumor volume nor the involvement of the ICA (≥180° as measured by CT or MRI) was associated with CNI, carotid artery injury, major carotid artery repair, or Shamblin II or III classification. No carotid artery narrowing was observed in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative measurement of the dens-CBT is helpful in identifying CBTs at risk for CNI after surgical resection.

Prognostic factors associated with risk of stroke following blunt cerebrovascular injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) includes carotid and/or vertebral artery injury following trauma, and conveys an increased stroke risk. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive summary of prognostic factors associated with risk of stroke following BCVI. METHODS: We searched the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from January 1946 to June 2023. We identified studies reporting associations between patient or injury factors and risk of stroke following BCVI. We performed meta-analyses of odds ratios (ORs) using the random effects method and assessed individual study risk of bias using the QUIPS tool. We separately pooled adjusted and unadjusted analyses, highlighting the estimate with the higher certainty. RESULTS: We included 26 cohort studies, involving 20,458 patients with blunt trauma. The overall incidence of stroke following BCVI was 7.7 %. Studies were predominantly retrospective cohorts from North America and included both carotid and vertebral artery injuries. Diagnosis of BCVI was most commonly confirmed with CT angiography. We demonstrated with moderate to high certainty that factors associated with increased risk of stroke included carotid artery injury (as compared to vertebral artery injury, unadjusted odds ratio [uOR] 1.94, 95 % CI 1.62 to 2.32), Grade III Injury (as compared to grade I or II) (uOR 2.45, 95 % CI 1.88 to 3.20), Grade IV injury (uOR 3.09, 95 % CI 2.20 to 4.35), polyarterial injury (uOR 3.11 (95 % CI 2.05 to 4.72), occurrence of hypotension at the time of hospital admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.32, 95 % CI 0.87 to 2.03) and higher total body injury severity (aOR 5.91, 95 % CI 1.90 to 18.39). CONCLUSION: Local anatomical injury pattern, overall burden of injury and flow dynamics contribute to BCVI-related stroke risk. These findings provide the foundational evidence base for risk stratification to support clinical decision making and further research.

Internal carotid artery injury during endoscopic endonasal surgery for skull base pathologies: an institutional incidence, management, and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) has become a popular approach to deal with skull base pathologies. The most catastrophic intra-operative complication of EES is internal carotid artery (ICA) injury. We aim to discuss and introduce our institutional experience with ICA injury during EES. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent EES from 2013 to 2022 was performed to determine the incidence and outcomes of intraoperative ICA injuries. RESULTS: There were six patients (0.56%) with intraoperative ICA injury in our institution during the last 10 years. Fortunately, there was no morbidity or mortality in our patients with intraoperative ICA injuries. The sites of injury were equally in paraclival, cavernous sinus, and preclinoidal segments of ICA. CONCLUSION: Primary prevention is the best solution for this condition. Regarding our institutional experience, the best option for primary management just after an injury is packing the surgical site. In cases where packing is not enough for temporary control of bleeding, common carotid artery occlusion should be considered. We have presented our experience and reviewed previous studies regarding different treatments and suggested our intra and post-operative management algorithm.

Craniofacial gunshot injuries: an unrecognised risk factor for blunt cervical vascular injuries?

OBJECTIVES: To review our institutional experience with cervical arterial injuries remote from the penetrating tract seen in the setting of craniofacial gunshot injuries. METHODS: Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Our institutional trauma registry was queried over a 5-year period for patients with cervical arterial injuries due to penetrating craniofacial gunshot wounds who underwent CT angiography. Imaging results and clinical notes were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 427 patients sustained gunshot wounds to the head, face and/or neck, of whom 222 underwent CT angiography yielding 56 patients with 78 vascular injuries. There were five internal carotid artery injuries remote from the wound tract. The incidence of these "indirect" cervical arterial injuries in our patient population was 1.2%, or 2.8% of patients who underwent CT angiography. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of "indirect" cervical arterial injuries with craniofacial gunshot wounds is comparable to or slightly higher than those seen in pure blunt trauma. Screening patients with craniofacial gunshot injuries with CT angiography may yield unexpected cervical vascular injuries remote from the penetrating tract. The significance and optimal therapy of these injuries are unknown. Additional experience will be needed to determine the significance of "indirect" cervical arterial injuries in the setting of craniofacial gunshot wounds.

A multicenter retrospective cohort study of blunt traumatic injury to the common or internal carotid arteries.

OBJECTIVE: Current EAST guidelines recommend against routine carotid intervention for patients with blunt carotid artery injury (BCI), but offer limited information on its role for BCI patients presenting with neurological deficit. Our goal was to describe the contemporary management and outcomes of patients presenting with BCI and neurological deficit unrelated to head injury. METHODS: We identified all adults who sustained a BCI between 2010 and 2017 in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program. We extracted patient demographics, injury characteristics (carotid and non-carotid), as well as the frequency, timing and approach of carotid intervention. Presence of neurological deficit unrelated to head injury at presentation was determined using Abbreviated Injury Scale codes. The main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and home discharge. Patients with and without neurological deficit at presentation were compared through multivariable logistic regression modeling. Among those with neurological deficit at presentation, the associations between carotid intervention (open or endovascular) and the outcomes were also assessed through multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified 5,788 patients with BCI of whom 383 (7%) presented with neurological deficit unrelated to head injury. Among the 296 patients (5%) who underwent carotid intervention, 36 (12%) had presented with neurological deficit unrelated to head injury. Interventions were most often endovascular (68% [200/296]) and within a median time of 32 h (IQR 5-203). In-hospital mortality was 16% (918/5,788), and in-hospital stroke prevalence was 6% (336/5,788). When comparing patients with and without neurological deficit at presentation, those with deficits were more frequently managed with an intervention. After adjustment, the likelihood of mortality was higher (OR [95% CI] = 2.16 [1.63-2.85]) and the likelihood of home discharge lower (OR [95% CI] = 0.29 [0.21-0.40]) among patients presenting with neurological deficit. Among those with neurological deficit, carotid intervention was positively associated with home discharge (OR [95% CI] = 2.96 [1.21-7.23]), but not with in-hospital mortality (OR [95% CI] = 0.87 [0.36-2.10]). Results were similar in the subgroup of patients with isolated BCI (2,971/5,788). CONCLUSIONS: Intervention in BCI patients presenting with neurological deficit may contribute to a greater likelihood of home discharge but not reduced in-hospital mortality.

Blunt Traumatic Vertebral Artery Injuries: Incidence, Therapeutic Management, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is a term for injuries to the carotid and vertebral arteries (blunt vertebral artery injury [BVAI]) caused by blunt trauma. Computed tomographic angiography is currently the best screening test for BCVI. The subsequent management of any identified vessel injury, however, is not clearly defined. OBJECTIVE: To describe one of the largest cohorts of isolated vertebral artery injuries and report the evolution of treated and untreated lesions and clinical outcomes of treatment regimens used to reduce the risk of injury-related stroke. METHODS: The list included patients who presented to or were transferred to a level 1 trauma center and found to have an isolated BVAI. Patients were included if imaging was performed within 24 hours of presentation. Data collected included location and grade of injury, timing and type of initial therapy, follow-up imaging, evolution of the disease, and associated strokes. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included in the analysis. Most patients (135/156) were treated with aspirin alone, 3 with anticoagulation therapy, and 18 did not receive treatment. Three strokes were detected within 24 hours of admission and before treatment initiation. No strokes were detected during the length of the hospitalization for any other patient. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that the risk of stroke after cervical vertebral artery injury is low, and aspirin as a prophylactic is efficacious in grade I and IV injuries. There are limited data regarding grade II and grade III injuries. The benefit of early interval imaging follow-up is unclear and warrants investigation.

A multi-registry analysis of military and civilian penetrating cervical carotid artery injury.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating cervical carotid artery injury is an uncommon but high-stake scenario associated with stroke and death. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare penetrating carotid injury in the military and civilian setting, as well as provide considerations for management. METHODS: Cohorts with penetrating cervical carotid artery injury from the Department of Defense Trauma Registry (2002-2015) and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Prospective Observation Vascular Injury Treatment Registry (2012-2018) were analyzed. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator multivariate analysis using random forest-based imputation was performed to identify risk factors affecting stroke and mortality. RESULTS: There were a total of 157 patients included in the study, of which 56 (35.7%) were military and 101 (64.3%) were civilian. The military cohort was more likely to have been managed with open surgery (87.5% vs. 44.6%, p < 0.001) and to have had any procedure to restore or maintain flow to the brain (71.4% vs. 35.6%, p < 0.001), while the civilian cohort was more likely to undergo nonoperative management (45.5% vs. 12.5%, p < 0.001). Stroke rate was higher within the military cohort (41.1% vs. 13.9%, p < 0.001); however, mortality did not differ between the groups (12.5% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.52). On multivariate analysis, predictors for stroke were presence of a battle injury (log odds, 2.1; p < 0.001) and internal or common carotid artery ligation (log odds 1.5, p = 0.009). For mortality outcome, protective factors included a high Glasgow Coma Scale on admission (log odds, -0.21 per point; p < 0.001). Increased admission Injury Severity Score was a predictor of mortality (log odds, 0.05 per point; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The stroke rate was higher in the military cohort, possibly reflecting complexity of injury; however, there was no difference in mortality between military and civilian patients. For significant injuries, concerted efforts should be made at carotid reconstruction to reduce the occurrence of stroke. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort analysis, level III.

Anomalous innominate artery complicating tracheal surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the importance of imaging in reducing an accidental injury to the anomalous brachiocephalic trunk and its branches during tracheal surgery. CASE REPORT: This paper reports two cases of accidental injury to the great vessels in the neck during tracheal surgery. The first incident occurred during a repeat tracheostomy, when the right common carotid artery was injured. On reviewing the computed tomography images, the bifurcation of the brachiocephalic artery was seen to the left of the midline, and the right common carotid artery was adherent just below the tracheostomy site. The second incident happened during surgery for tracheal stenosis, when there was an inadvertent injury to the main brachiocephalic trunk, which was adherent to the trachea in the lower neck region. CONCLUSION: For airway surgeons, radiological assessment of vascular structures in relation to the trachea prior to surgery is as important as the endoluminal airway assessment for the best outcome.

Early Experience of Endoscopic Endonasal Transphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma: Preliminary Report of 56 Cases Operated in a West African Institution.

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been popularized worldwide for pituitary adenoma surgery, in sub-Saharan Africa, neurosurgeons are still only starting their experience with it. This study was designed to assess the early results of EEA for pituitary adenoma from an under-equipped environment, namely, the Department of Neurosurgery of the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon Abidjan and Bouaké in Ivory Coast. METHODS: The data of 56 cases of EEA for pituitary adenoma surgery performed between 2016 and March 2019 at the Teaching Hospital of Yopougon-Abidjan and Bouaké were retrospectively assessed. Pre- and postoperative neuro-ophthalmologic and hormonal status were analyzed. Moreover, the quality of tumor removal, and pre- and postoperative complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, there were nonfunctional adenomas (20), prolactinoma (18), Cushing disease (9), and acromegaly (3). A reduced visual acuity and/or visual field defect was observed in 49 cases. The mean operation time was 225 ± 94.7 minutes. The tumor removals were complete in 57.14%, subtotal in 35.71%, and partial in 7.14%. These led to a visual improvement in 69.64%. Postoperative complications were cerebrospinal fluid leaks (19.64%), diabetes insipidus (12.50%), visual worsening (7.14%), meningitis (3.57%), and carotid injury (3.57%) that led to death. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the early surgical experience using EEA for treating pituitary adenoma in an under-equipped environment. Although the postoperative complication rate was relatively high, refinements of local surgeons' technique would lead to a better patient outcome.