Shifting Perspectives: Equal Blunt Cerebrovascular Risk in Low-Versus High-Energy Cervical Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical implications of screening for blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) after low-energy mechanisms of injury (LEMI) remain unclear. We assessed BCVI incidence and outcomes in LEMI versus high-energy mechanisms of injury (HEMI) patients. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, blunt trauma adults admitted between July 2015 and June 2021 with cervical spine fractures, excluding single spinous process, osteophyte, and chronic fractures were included. Demographics, comorbidities, injuries, screening and treatment data, iatrogenic complications, and mortality were collected. Our primary end point was to compare BCVI rates between LEMI and HEMI patients. RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty patients (78%) were screened for BCVI; 120 were positive for BCVI. LEMI and HEMI groups presented similar BCVI rates (12.6% versus 14.4%; P = 0.640). Compared to HEMI patients (n = 95), LEMI patients (n = 25) were significantly older (79 ± 14.9 versus 54.3 ± 17.4, P < 0.001), more likely to be on anticoagulants before admission (64% versus 23.2%, P < 0.001), and less severely injured (LEMI injury severity score 10.9 ± 6.6 versus HEMI injury severity score 18.7 ± 11.4, P = 0.001). All but one LEMI and 90.5% of the HEMI patients had vertebral artery injuries with no significant difference in BCVI grades. One HEMI patient developed acute kidney injury because of BCVI screening. Eleven HEMI patients developed BCVI-related stroke with two related mortalities. One LEMI patient died of a BCVI-related stroke. CONCLUSIONS: BCVI rates were similar between HEMI and LEMI groups when screening based on cervical spine fractures. The LEMI group exhibited no screening or treatment complications, suggesting that benefits may outweigh the risks of screening and potential bleeding complications from treatment.

Risk factors for blunt cerebrovascular injury in the pediatric patient: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: While blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is a rare complication of blunt trauma, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the pediatric population, unique anatomy and development require screening criteria that accurately diagnose these injuries while limiting unwarranted radiation. METHODS: We searched Medline OVID, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for studies that investigated the risk factors of BCVI in individuals younger than 18 years of age. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and assessed the quality of each study using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We compared key characteristics of the papers, including incidence of BCVI, incidence of risk factors, and statistical significance of risk factors. RESULTS: Of 1304 studies, 16 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 15 were retrospective cohort studies and one was a retrospective case control study. Most of the studies included all pediatric blunt trauma admissions, but four only included those which underwent imaging, one only included those with cervical seatbelt sign, and one excluded those who did not survive 24-h post-admission. The ages included as pediatric varied between papers. Papers examined different risk factors and reported differing statistical significances. Though no single risk factor was found to be statistically significant in every study, cervical spine and skull fractures were found to be significant by most. Maxillofacial fractures, depressed GCS score, and stroke were found to be statistically significant by multiple studies. Twelve studies examined cervical soft tissue injury, and none found it to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors most found to be statistically significant for BCVI were cervical spine fracture (10/16 studies), skull fracture (9/16), maxillofacial fractures (7/16), depressed GCS score (5/16), and stroke (5/16). There is a need for prospective studies on this topic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Systematic Review.

Comparing the Denver criteria sets for blunt trauma: a retrospective study of cases in Edmonton, Alberta.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a more conservative Denver criterion set could reduce unnecessary CT angiography (CTA) studies when screening for blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) following blunt trauma. METHODS: Following ethics approval, a retrospective chart review of 447 consecutive patients undergoing emergency CTA at two large teaching hospitals was conducted to determine the presence of risk factors for each Denver criterion set. Imaging studies of adults conducted between January 2016 and June 2020 containing sufficient clinical information for accurate classification were included in the study. Specificity, sensitivity, and predictive values were calculated. A two-sided Fisher exact test was used to evaluate the association between each iteration of the Denver criteria and the presence of BCVI. RESULTS: The specificities of the Original, Modified, and Expanded Denver criteria were 43.58%, 34.32%, and 24.85%, respectively. Positive-predictive values (PPV) followed a different trend, with respective values of 2.77%, 3.06%, and 2.78%. Sensitivity and negative-predictive values (NPV) were found to be 100% for each criterion set. Being positive for a criterion set, and the presence of BCVI, was statistically significant for the original Denver criteria (p = 0.021, n = 443), but not the modified (p = 0.100, n = 345) or expanded Denver criteria (p = 0.202, n = 333). CONCLUSION: Use of the modified and expanded Denver criteria leads to the overuse of cerebrovascular imaging on patients suffering blunt force trauma. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The original Denver criteria may more appropriately identify subjects for further evaluation with CTA than the current standard, while retaining diagnostic efficacy for BCVI.

Lower incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injury among young, properly restrained children: An ATOMAC multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle collision (MVC) remains a leading cause of injury and death among children, but the proper use of child safety seats and restraints has lowered the risks associated with motor vehicle travel. Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is rare but significant among children involved in MVC. This study reviewed the incidence of BCVI after MVC causing blunt injury to the head, face, or neck, comparing those that were properly restrained with those that were not. METHODS: A prospective, multi-institutional observational study of children younger than 15 years who sustained blunt trauma to the head, face, or neck (Abbreviated Injury Scale score >0) and presented at one of six level I pediatric trauma centers from 2017 to 2020 was conducted. Diagnosis of BCVI was made either by imaging or neurological symptoms at 2-week follow-up. Restraint status among those involved in MVC was compared for each age group. RESULTS: A total of 2,284 patients were enrolled at the 6 trauma centers. Of these, 521 (22.8%) were involved in an MVC. In this cohort, after excluding patients with missing data, 10 of 371 (2.7%) were diagnosed with a BCVI. For children younger than 12 years, none who were properly restrained suffered a BCVI (0 of 75 children), while 7 of 221 (3.2%) improperly restrained children suffered a BCVI. For children between 12 and 15 years of age, the incidence of BCVI was 2 of 36 (5.5%) for children in seat belts compared with 1 of 36 (2.8%) for unrestrained children. CONCLUSION: In this large multicenter prospectively screened pediatric cohort, the incidence of BCVI among properly restrained children under 12 years after MVC was infrequent, while the incidence was 3.2% among those without proper restraint. This effect was not seen among children older than 12 years. Restraint status in young children may be an important factor in BCVI screening. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Pediatric cerebrovascular trauma: Incidence, management, and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric cerebrovascular trauma (CVT) is rare. There is an increasing use of endovascular management in vascular trauma. We studied the incidence, management, and outcomes of CVT in the pediatric population using the NTDB (National Trauma Data Bank). METHODS: The NTDB was queried for CVT in patients less than 18 years of age over a recent three-year period (2017-2019). Demographics, injury mechanism, type and location, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), length of stay (LOS), surgical approach (open vs endovascular), and morbidity/mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis included χ2 and student's t-tests or Fisher's exact tests where appropriate. RESULTS: Of 386,918 pediatric trauma cases, 1536 (0.4%) suffered 1821 CVT. Blunt trauma accounted for 69.3%. Patients were predominantly male (65.4%) and white (57.5%), with an mean age of 14 years. There were 998 (55%) carotid artery injuries, including 846 common/internal carotid and 145 external carotid. Other vessel injuries included 141 (11%) intracranial carotid, 571 (31%) vertebral artery and 252 (14%) jugular vein. Mean number of vessels injured was 1.2. Motor vehicle trauma was most common (49.3%) followed by firearm injury (21%). The mean GCS was 11, and mean total LOS was 11.3 days. Majority of interventions were performed in an open fashion (65.7%), whereas 29.7% were performed endovascularly. Stroke rate was 3.1%. Patients with multiple vascular injuries had an overall mortality of 29% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: While not accorded as much importance as blunt injury, penetrating CVT comprises of 30% of injuries. Nearly 1/3rd of all cases needing surgical intervention were managed with endovascular techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Improving blunt cerebrovascular injury screening in motor vehicle collision patients: Does airbag deployment matter?

BACKGROUND: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) can cause blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI). Exploring MVC characteristics that increase BCVI may reduce missed injuries. This study aims to evaluate the association between airbag deployment and BCVI. METHODS: We analyzed the 2016-Trauma Quality Improvement Database including adult MVC drivers. Patients were stratified: airbag deployment(A+) and no-airbag deployment(A-). Outcomes were BCVI, and cervical spine injuries (CSI). RESULTS: A total of 122,973 patients were identified: A+: 106,492, and A-: 16,481. The incidence of BCVI was 1907 (1.6%): and CSI was 20,711 (16.8%). A+ patients had a higher rate of BCVI (1.6% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.001), but a lower rate of CSI (16.2% vs. 21.4%; p < 0.001). On regression analysis, A+ was associated with BCVI (1.419[1.184-1.701]; p < 0.001) but was protective for CSI (0.767[0.672-0.878]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A+ may be an unrecognized risk factor for BCVI even for patients without a CSI. Expanding BCVI screening criteria to include A+ may reduce missed injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic.

Management of blunt cerebrovascular injuries at a Canadian level 1 trauma centre: Are we meeting the grade?

BACKGROUND: Untreated blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) are associated with high rates of death and disability due to stroke. We assessed alignment of clinical practice at our centre with current recommendations for management of BCVIs and examined rates of new and recurrent in-hospital stroke. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the BC Trauma Registry to identify all adult (age > 18 yr) patients with trauma with BCVIs at the largest level 1 trauma centre in British Columbia, Canada, from Apr. 1, 2013, to Mar. 31, 2018. We evaluated the registry, hospital databases and patient charts to assess alignment with guidelines for early initiation of appropriate antithrombotic therapy and follow-up imaging, and to ascertain short-term outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients met the inclusion criteria. Just over half of BCVIs (97 [52.2%]) were Biffl grade 1-2. The majority of patients were treated with acetylsalicylic acid monotherapy (144/162 [88.9%]) or low-molecular-weight heparin (2/162 [1.2%]). Although guidelines recommend repeat imaging at 7-10 days to reassess the injury and guide duration of therapy, only 61/171 patients (35.7%) underwent repeat imaging within 7 days. Neuroimaging within 3 months after injury showed brain infarction in 29 patients (15.6%). CONCLUSION: Antithrombotic therapy was initiated in the majority of eligible patients with BCVIs, but completion of follow-up imaging and documentation of clear outpatient care plans were suboptimal. This finding shows the need for routine multidisciplinary management to facilitate standardization of care for this complex population.

A Neuropathological Study of Diffuse Vascular Injury in Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions.

In Canada, 42 929 people were involved in fatal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) between 1999 and 2018. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including diffuse vascular injury (DVI), were the most frequent cause of death. The neuroanatomical injury pattern and severity of DVI in relation to data on MVC dynamics and other MVC factors were the focus of the current study. Five cases of fatal MVCs investigated by Western University's Motor Vehicle Safety (MOVES) Research Team with the neuropathological diagnosis of DVI were reviewed. DVI was seen in single and multiple vehicle collisions, with/without rollover and with/without partial occupant ejection. DVI occurred regardless of seatbelt use and airbag deployment and in vehicles equipped with/without antilock brakes. All DVI cases sustained head impacts and had focal TBIs, including basal skull fractures and subarachnoid hemorrhages. DVI was seen in MVCs that ranged in severity based on the change in velocity (delta-V) during the crash (minimum 31 km/hour) and occupant compartment intrusion (minimum 25 cm). In all cases, DVI in frontal white matter, corpus callosum and pontine tegmentum were common. In cases with more extensive DVI, pronounced vehicle rotation occurred before the final impact. Extensive DVI was seen in drivers who experienced sudden acceleration during vehicle rotation and deceleration.

Implementation of a dual cervical spine and blunt cerebrovascular injury assessment pathway for pediatric trauma patients.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric cervical spine (CSI) and blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) are challenging to evaluate as they are rare but carry high morbidity and mortality. CT scans are the traditional imaging modality to evaluate for CSI/BCVI, but involve radiation exposure and potential future increased risk of malignancy. Therefore, we present results from the implementation of a combined CSI/BCVI pediatric trauma clinical pathway to aid clinicians in their decision-making. METHODS: We conducted a 2-year retrospective cohort study analyzing data pre and post implementation of the combined CSI/BCVI pathway. Data was obtained from a level 1 pediatric trauma center and included blunt trauma patients under the age of 14. We evaluated the use of cervical spine computed tomography (CT), CT angiography, and plain radiographs, as well as missed injuries and provider pathway adherence. RESULTS: We included 358 patients: 209 pre-pathway and 149 post-pathway implementation. Patient mean age was 8.9 years and 61% were male (61% males). There were no significant differences in GCS, AIS, and ISS between pre and post pathway groups. Post pathway implementation saw reduced use of cervical spine CT, although this was not clinically significant (33% vs 31%, p = 0.74). However, cervical spine radiography use increased (9% vs 16%, p = 0.03), and there was also an increase in screening for BCVI injuries with higher use of CTA (5% vs 7%, p = 0.52). A total of 12 CSI and 3 BCVI were identified with no missed injuries. Provider adherence to the pathway was modest (54%). Conclusion Implementation of a combined CSI/BCVI clinical pathway for pediatric trauma patients increased screening radiography and did not miss any injuries. However, CT use did not significantly decrease and provider adherence was modest, supporting the need for further implementation analysis and larger studies to validate the pathway's sensitivity and specificity for CSI/BCVI.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury Screening Criteria Should Include Motor Vehicle Crash Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Current screening criteria miss 30% of blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs). Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are the leading BCVI mechanism, and delineating MVC characteristics associated with BCVI formation may augment current screening criteria. METHODS: We retrospectively identified BCVI Denver injury screening criteria as able from the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) database. Severe MVC markers were considered: mean change in velocity (delta-v) greater than 40 km/hour, steering wheel airbag deployment, ejection, or rollover. RESULTS: 93 BCVIs were included. Injury screening criteria were not present in 37/93 (39.8%) BCVIs. Vertebral BCVI more often had injury screening criteria than internal carotid BCVIs (73.2% vs 26.8%, P = .001). There was a significant difference in delta-v (30.78 km/hour vs 51.00 km/hour, P < .001) between BCVI with and without injury screening criteria. BCVI without injury screening criteria more often had safety device use through seatbelt position snug across the hips (94.6% vs 74.5%, P = .01) and pretensioner deployment (92.6% vs 70.2%, P = .04). Examining only drivers, BCVI without injury screening criteria more often had steering wheel airbag deployment (89.7% vs 68.9%, P = .05). Markers of severe MVC were seen in 36/37 (97.3%) BCVIs without injury screening criteria. DISCUSSION: BCVI without injury screening criteria occurred during higher deceleration MVCs with more frequent/appropriate safety device use, suggesting crash deceleration as a mechanism of BCVI formation. Expanding BCVI screening criteria to encompass severe MVCs may lessen the number of BCVI missed.

The Utility of a Screening Neck Computed Tomographic Angiogram in Blunt Trauma Patients Presenting With a Seat Belt Sign in the Absence of Associated Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) of the neck are a common cause for concern after blunt trauma. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate whether patients with a cervical seat belt sign in the absence of associated high-risk injuries or neurological symptoms are at an increased risk for developing a clinically significant vascular injury and therefore require a screening neck computed tomographic angiography (CTA). METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of patients who presented after motor vehicle collision and received a neck CTA for an indication of "seat belt sign." Imaging was reviewed to determine the vascular injury grade, associated injuries, and, if available, follow-up imaging was reviewed to assess for interval change or resolution. The patients were split into 2 groups. Group 1 included patients without high-risk injuries, and group 2 included patients with high-risk injuries. RESULTS: In group 1, 6 (2.9%) of 208 patients had BCVI. In group 2, 7 (18.9%) of 37 patients had BCVI. Patients in group 2 were 6.5 times more likely to suffer BCVI compared with group 1 (P < 0.001). No patient in group 1 was ever symptomatic, and only 1 (0.5%) patient underwent interventional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting after blunt trauma with a seat belt sign and no other high-risk injuries as laid out by screening criteria demonstrate a low probability of BCVI and an even lower likelihood of adverse outcome.

Blunt cerebrovascular injury: The case for universal screening.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence-based screening algorithms for blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) may miss more than 30% of carotid or vertebral artery injuries. We implemented universal screening for BCVI with computed tomography angiography of the neck at our level 1 trauma center, hypothesizing that only universal screening would identify all clinically relevant BCVIs. METHODS: Adult blunt trauma activations from July 2017 to August 2019 underwent full-body computed tomography scan including computed tomography angiography neck with a 128-slice computed tomography scanner. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of common screening criteria. We determined independent risk factors for BCVI using multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A total of 4,659 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 2.7% (n = 126) of which had 158 BCVIs. For the criteria outlined in the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program Best Practices Guidelines, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 72.2%, 64.9%, 6.8%, 98.5%, and 65.2%, respectively; for the risk factors suggested in the more extensive expanded Denver criteria, they were 82.5%, 50.4%, 5.3%, 98.9%, and 51.4%, respectively. Twenty-three percent (n = 14) of patients with BCVI grade 3 or higher would not have been captured by any screening criteria. Cervical spine, facial, and skull base fractures were the strongest predictors of BCVI with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 8.1 (5.4-12.1), 5.7 (2.2-15.1), and 2.7 (1.5-4.7), respectively. Eighty-three percent (n = 105) of patients with BCVI received antiplatelet agents or therapeutic anticoagulation, with 4% (n = 5) experiencing a bleeding complication, 3% (n = 4) a BCVI progression, and 8% (n = 10) a stroke. CONCLUSION: Almost 20% of patients with BCVI, including a quarter of those with BCVI grade 3 or higher, would have gone undiagnosed by even the most extensive and sensitive BCVI screening criteria. Implementation of universal screening should strongly be considered to ensure the detection of all clinically relevant BCVIs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, level III.

Elderly Patients With Cervical Spine Fractures After Ground Level Falls Are at Risk for Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury.

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia is common in the elderly, increasing their risk of sustaining cervical fractures after ground level falls (GLFs). We sought to examine the incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) and subsequent stroke in elderly GLF patients as compared with other higher injury mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Trauma Quality Improvement Program database (2011-2016) was used to identify blunt trauma patients with isolated (other body region abbreviated injury scale <3) cervical spine (C1-C7) fractures. Patients were stratified into three groups: nonelderly patients (<65) with all mechanisms of injury, elderly patients (≥65) with GLF, and elderly patients with all other mechanism of injury. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors for BCVI, stroke, spinal cord injury, and acute kidney injury. RESULTS: Seventeen thousand six hundred twenty-eight patients with cervical spine injuries were identified. BCVI was highest in the <65 group (0.8%) and lowest in elderly patients with GLF (0.3%, P = 0.001). When controlling for other factors, elderly patients with GLF were less likely to sustain BCVI (adjusted odds ratio: 0.46, P = 0.03) but had comparable rates of stroke attributable to BCVI (18.2% versus 6.5%, P = 0.184) and comparable rate of acute kidney injury compared with elderly patients with other mechanism of injury. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients with isolated cervical spine fracture after GLF, BCVI occurs less frequently but is associated with a comparable rate of stroke as compared with other mechanisms. Low injury mechanism should not preclude BCVI screening in the presence of cervical spine fractures.

Diagnostic accuracy of different clinical screening criteria for blunt cerebrovascular injuries compared with liberal state of the art computed tomography angiography in major trauma.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) can significantly impact morbidity and mortality if undetected and, therefore, untreated. Two diagnostic concepts are standard practice in major trauma management: Application of clinical screening criteria (CSC) does or does not recommend consecutive computed tomography angiography (CTA) of head and neck. In contrast, liberal CTA usage integrates into diagnostic protocols for suspected major trauma. First, this study's objective is to assess diagnostic accuracy of different CSC for BCVI in a population of patients diagnosed with BCVI after the use of liberal CTA. Second, anatomical locations and grades of BCVI in CSC false negatives are analyzed. METHODS: The hospital database at University Hospital Münster was retrospectively searched for BCVI diagnosed in patients with suspicion of major trauma 2008 to 2015. All patients underwent a diagnostic protocol including CTA. No BCVI risk stratification or CSC had been applied beforehand. Three sets of CSC were drawn from current BCVI practice management guidelines and retrospectively applied to the study population. Primary outcome was false-negative recommendation for CTA according to CSC. Secondary outcome measures were stroke, mortality, mechanism of injury, multivessel BCVI, location and grade of BCVI. RESULTS: From 4,104 patients with suspicion of major trauma, 91 (2.2%) were diagnosed with 126 BCVI through liberal usage of CTA. Sensitivities of different CSC ranged from 57% to 84%. Applying the set of CSC with the highest sensitivity, false-negative BCVIs were found more often in the petrous segment of the carotid artery (p = 0.01) and more false negatives presenting with pseudoaneurysmatic injury were found in the vertebral artery (p = <0.01). CONCLUSION: This study provides further insight into the common debate of correct assessment of BCVI in trauma patients. Despite following current practice management guidelines, a large number of patients with BCVI would have been missed without liberal CTA usage. Larger-scale observational studies are needed to confirm these results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level III.

Evaluation and management of blunt cerebrovascular injury: A practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This guideline evaluates several aspects of BCVI diagnosis and management including the role of screening protocols, criteria for screening cervical spine injuries, and the use of antithrombotic therapy (ATT) and endovascular stents. METHODS: Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, a taskforce of the Practice Management Guidelines Committee of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of currently available evidence. Four population, intervention, comparison, and outcome questions were developed to address diagnostic and therapeutic issues relevant to BCVI. RESULTS: A total of 98 articles were identified. Of these, 23 articles were selected to construct the guidelines. In these studies, the detection of BCVI increased with the use of a screening protocol versus no screening protocol (odds ratio [OR], 4.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76-12.78; p = 0.002), as well as among patients with high-risk versus low-risk cervical spine injuries (OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 6.24-25.62; p = 0.003). The use of ATT versus no ATT resulted in a decreased risk of stroke (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06-0.65; p < 0.0001) and mortality (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.08-0.34; p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the risk of stroke among patients with Grade II or III injuries who underwent stenting as an adjunct to ATT versus ATT alone (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.2-12.14; p = 0.63). CONCLUSION: We recommend using a screening protocol to detect BCVI in blunt polytrauma patients. Among patients with high-risk cervical spine injuries, we recommend screening computed tomography angiography to detect BCVI. For patients with low-risk risk cervical injuries, we conditionally recommend performing a computed tomography angiography to detect BCVI. We recommend the use of ATT in patients diagnosed with BCVI. Finally, we recommend against the routine use of endovascular stents as an adjunct to ATT in patients with Grade II or III BCVIs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Guidelines, Level III.

New ischemic lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging in patients with blunt traumatic cerebrovascular injury.

BACKGROUND: Patients with blunt cerebrovascular injuries are at risk of thromboembolic stroke. Although primary prevention with antithrombotic therapy is widely used in this setting, its effectiveness is not well defined and requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected ischemic brain lesions as a possible future outcome for randomized clinical trials in this patient population. METHODS: This prospective observational study included 20 adult blunt trauma patients admitted to a level I trauma center with a screening neck CTA showing extracranial carotid or vertebral artery injury. All subjects lacked initial evidence of an ischemic stroke and were managed with antithrombotic therapy and observation and then underwent brain MRI within 30 days of the injury to assess for ischemic lesions. The MRI scans included diffusion, susceptibility, and Fluid-attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) sequences, and were reviewed by two neuroradiologists blinded to the computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings. RESULTS: Eleven CTAs were done in the emergency department upon admission. There were 12 carotid artery dissections and 11 unilateral or bilateral vertebral artery injuries. Median interval between injury and MRI scan was 4 days (range, 0.1-14; interquartile range, 3-7 days). Diffusion-weighted imaging evidence of new ischemic lesions was present in 10 (43%) of 23 of the injured artery territories. In those injuries with ischemic lesions, the median number was 8 (range, 2-25; interquartile range, 5-8). None of the lesions were symptomatic. Blunt cerebrovascular injury was associated with a higher mean ischemic lesion count (mean count of 3.17 vs. 0.14, p < 0.0001), with the association remaining after adjusting for injury severity score (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic blunt trauma patients with CTA evidence of extracranial cerebrovascular injury and treated with antithrombotic therapy, nearly half of arterial injuries are associated with ischemic lesions on MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/care management, level IV.

A comparison of digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography for the diagnosis of penetrating cerebrovascular injury.

OBJECTIVE: Penetrating cerebrovascular injury (PCVI) is a subset of traumatic brain injury (TBI) comprising a broad spectrum of cerebrovascular pathology, including traumatic pseudoaneurysms, direct arterial injury, venous sinus stenosis or occlusion, and traumatic dural arteriovenous fistulas. These can result in immediate or delayed vascular injury and consequent neurological morbidity. Current TBI guidelines recommend cerebrovascular imaging for detection, but there is no consensus on the optimum modality. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare CT angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for the diagnosis of PCVI. METHODS: The records of all patients presenting to two level I trauma centers in the United States between January 2010 and July 2016 with penetrating head or neck trauma were reviewed. Only those who had undergone both CTA and DSA were included. Clinical and neuroimaging data were collected, and PCVIs were stratified using a modified Biffl grading scheme. DSA and CTA results were then compared. RESULTS: Of 312 patients with penetrating trauma over the study period, 56 patients (91% male, mean age 32 years) with PCVI met inclusion criteria and constituted the study cohort. The mechanism of injury was a gunshot wound in 86% (48/56) of patients. Twenty-four (43%) patients had sustained an angiographically confirmed arterial or venous injury. Compared with DSA as the gold standard, CTA had a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 63%, respectively, for identifying PCVI. CTA had a positive predictive value of 61% and negative predictive value of 70%. Seven patients (13%) required immediate endovascular treatment of PCVI; in 3 (43%) of these patients, the injury was not identified on CTA. Twenty-two patients (39%) underwent delayed DSA an average of 25 days after injury; 2 (9%) of these patients were found to harbor new pathological conditions requiring treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of PCVI at two large trauma centers, CTA demonstrated low sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of PCVI. These findings suggest that DSA provides better accuracy than CTA in the diagnosis of both immediate and delayed PCVI and should be considered for patients experiencing penetrating head or neck trauma.

Traumatic cerebrovascular injury: clinical characteristics and illustrative cases.

OBJECTIVE: Traumatic cerebrovascular injury (TCVI) is a rare and serious complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Various forms of TCVIs have been reported, including occlusions, arteriovenous fistulas, pseudoaneurysms, and transections. They can present at a variety of intervals after TBI and may manifest as sudden episodes, progressive symptoms, and even delayed fatal events. The purpose of this study was to analyze cases of TCVI identified at a single institution and further explore types and characteristics of these complications of TBI in order to improve recognition and treatment of these injuries. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of cases of TCVI identified at their institution between 2013 and 2016. A total of 5178 patients presented with TBI during this time period, and 42 of these patients qualified for a diagnosis of TCVI and had adequate medical and imaging records for analysis. Data from their cases were analyzed, and 3 illustrative cases are presented in detail. RESULTS: The most common type of TCVI was arteriovenous fistula (86.4%), followed by pseudoaneurysm (11.9%), occlusion (2.4%), and transection (2.4%). The mortality rate of patients with TCVI was 7.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe the clinical characteristics of patients with TCVI and provide data from a series of 42 cases. It is important to recognize TCVI in order to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment.

Place-and-Clip Method for Fixing the Suture Thread in Deep-Brain Vascular Lesions: A Technical Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial vascular injury incurred during surgery must be repaired as quickly as possible. The standard repair procedure is surgical suturing. However, the narrow and deep working space may obstruct creating a knot with the suture thread. CASE DESCRIPTION: Resection of an olfactory groove meningioma was performed in a 73-year-old woman via the right lateral supraorbital approach. Tumor retraction caused an injury to the pericallosal artery. After temporary clipping of the vessel, a 10-0 nylon thread was placed on the vascular lesion and the end of the thread was fixed with an aneurysm clip. CONCLUSIONS: Fixing the suture thread with an aneurysm clip can be a rescue technique in suturing procedures on deeply located vascular lesions.