Risk Factors for Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in a Cohort of Pediatric Patients With Cervical Seat Belt Sign.

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BVCI), injury to the carotid or vertebral arteries, may result from forces involving seatbelts. Although previous studies have not found a seat belt sign to be a significant predictor for BCVI, it is still used to screen patients for BCVI. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine risk factors for BCVI within a cohort of patients with seat belt signs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using our institutional trauma registry and included patients younger than 18 years with blunt trauma who both had a computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the neck performed and had evidence of a seat belt sign per the medical record. We reported frequencies, proportions, and measures of central tendency and conducted univariate analysis to evaluate factors associated with BCVI. We estimated the magnitude of the effect of each variable associated with the study outcome by conducting logistic regression and reporting odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Among all study patients, BCVI injuries were associated with Injury Severity Score higher than 15 ( P = 0.04), cervical spinal fractures ( P = 0.007), or basilar skull fractures ( P = 0.01). We observed higher proportions of children with BCVI when other motorized and other blunt mechanisms were reported as the mechanisms of injury ( P = 0.002) versus motor vehicle collision. CONCLUSIONS: Significant risk factors for BCVI in the presence of seat belt sign are: Injury severity score greater than 15, cervical spinal fracture, basilar skull fracture, and the other motorized mechanism of injury, similar to those in all children at risk of BCVI.

Association between cervical fracture patterns and blunt cerebrovascular injury when screened with computed tomographic angiography.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Prior studies have demonstrated a close association between cervical spine fractures and blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI). Undiagnosed BCVI is a feared complication because of the potentially catastrophic outcomes in a missed posterior circulation stroke. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is commonly used to screen BCVI in the trauma setting. However, determining which cervical fracture patterns mandate screening is still not clearly known. PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective review is to further elucidate which fracture patterns are associated with BCVI when using CTA and may mandate screening. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: All patients that presented to our trauma and emergency departments with a blunt cervical spine fracture from January 2018 to December 2021. Inclusion criteria included blunt cervical trauma and the use of CTA for BCVI screening. Exclusion criteria included patients under the age of 18, penetrating cervical trauma, and use any imaging modality besides CTA for BCVI screening. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics (age, gender, Glasgow coma scale, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit LOS, mechanism of energy of injury, polytrauma status), fracture location, fracture pattern (anterior arch, dens, dislocations/subluxations, facet, hangman, Jefferson, lamina, lateral mass, occipital condyle dissociation, occipital condyle, pedicle, posterior arch, spinous process, transverse process, transverse foramen, and vertebral body), and whether the patient sustained a BCVI or CVA. METHODS: If a patient had multiple fracture levels or fracture patterns, each level and pattern was counted as a separate BCVI. Multilevel fractures were defined as any patient with fractures at two distinct cervical levels. Differences between the patients who had a BCVI and those who did not were analyzed using independent sample t-tests for continuous variables and the chi-square or Fisher exact test for categorical variables. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess likelihood between patient characteristics/fracture characteristics and BCVI. RESULTS: A total of 690 patients were identified as having a blunt cervical spine injury. A total of 453 patients (66%) underwent screening for BCVI with CTA. Among patients who underwent CTA, BCVI was diagnosed in 138 patients (30%), VAI in 119 patients (26%), CAI in 30 patients (7%), and 11 patients were diagnosed with both a VAI and CAI (2%). Overall, among all patients there were 9 strokes, all in patients identified with a BCVI (1%). No individual cervical level was associated with increased risk of BCVI, but when combined, OC-C3 fractures were associated with an increased risk (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-1.9, p-value: .006). Multilevel fractures were also associated with an increased risk (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3, p-value: .01). The only fracture pattern associated with increased risk of BCVI were fractures associated with a dislocation/subluxation (OR: 3.8, 95% CI: 1.9-7.8, p-value = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The only fracture pattern associated with an increased risk of BCVI were fractures associated with dislocation/subluxation. The only fracture levels associated with BCVI were combined OC-C3 and multilevel fractures. We recommend that any upper cervical fracture (OC-C3), multilevel fracture, or fracture with dislocation/subluxation undergo screening for BCVI.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury: Are We Overscreening Low-Mechanism Trauma?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Screening patients with trauma for blunt cerebrovascular injury with neck CTA is a common practice, but there remains disagreement regarding which patients should be screened. We reviewed adult blunt cerebrovascular injury data from a level 1 trauma center to investigate whether screening is warranted in low-mechanism trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed all neck CTAs performed on adult trauma patients in the emergency department during the 2019 calendar year. Clinical and imaging risk factors for blunt cerebrovascular injury, trauma mechanism, initial neck CTA interpretations, results from subsequent CTA and DSA studies, antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments, and outcome data were recorded. RESULTS: One thousand one hundred thirty-six neck CTAs met the inclusion criteria, of which 965 (85%) were interpreted as having negative findings; 125, as having indeterminate findings (11%); and 46, as having positive findings (4%). Review of subsequent imaging and clinical documentation led to classification of 40 indeterminate studies (32%) as true-positives and 85 (68%) as false-positives. Blunt cerebrovascular injury was identified in 77 (12.6%) cases meeting and in 9 (1.7%) cases not meeting the expanded Denver criteria. The subset of 204 low-mechanism trauma cases (ground-level falls, blunt assaults, and low-impact motor vehicle collisions) not meeting the expanded Denver criteria (18% of the entire data set) could have been excluded from screening with 1 questionable injury and 0 ischemic strokes missed and 12 false-positive cases prevented. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate reservation of blunt cerebrovascular injury screening in low-mechanism trauma for patients meeting the expanded Denver criteria. Further research is needed to determine the behavior of indeterminate cases and to establish criteria for separating true-positive from false-positive findings.

Does the type of craniomaxillofacial fracture (CMF) differ between patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and those with blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI)? A retrospective study.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate and compare craniomaxillofacial fracture (CMF) type in patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) versus blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI). A retrospective cohort study was performed. The predictor variables were the types of CMF. The primary outcomes variables were ICH and BCVI. Secondary outcomes were death and survival with or without neurological sequelae. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression statistics were computed, and the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. The sample was composed of 1440 patients with a mean age of 46.6 years ±24 years, and 71% were men. Pure orbital wall (odds ratio [OR]), 3.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-12.69; P < 0.022), Le Fort III (OR, 16.08; 95% CI, 5.89-43.50; P < 0.001), cranial vault (OR, 9.74; 95% CI, 3.83.24.32; P < 0.001), skull base (OR, 9.42; 95% CI, 3.86-24.02; P < 0.001) and cervical fractures (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 1.65-15.97; P = 0.003) were significantly associated with BCVI. All of the CMFs (P < 0.001), except for Le Fort I (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.18-2.63; P = 0.731), nasal (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.77-1.42; P = 0.758), and mandibular (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.45-1.01; P = 0.066) fractures, were significantly associated with ICH. Secondary outcomes were negatively influenced by ICH and BCVI (P < 0.001). Within the limitations of the study it seems that Le Fort I and nasal fractures could be protective of cerebrovascular injuries, by cushioning impact forces. On the other hand it seems that patients with pure orbital wall, Le Fort III and cranio-cervical fractures are more prone to having concomitant life-threatening cerebrovascular injuries. This category of patients should have an immediate and comprehensive neurological assessment and CT angiography to rule out BCVI and to determine its severity.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in Pediatric Hanging Victims.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) following hanging in the pediatric population is ill-defined. Current guidelines recommend screening imaging during the initial trauma evaluation. Necessity of screening is questioned given BCVI is considered rare after hanging, especially when asymptomatic. This study aims to elucidate the incidence of BCVI in pediatric hangings and determine the value of radiographic work-up. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed of pediatric hangings reported to the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB), 2017-2019. Imaging, diagnoses, and findings suggestive of BCVI, such as Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8, presence of cervical injury, and soft tissue injury were considered. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare incidence. RESULTS: 197 patients met study criteria, with 179 arriving in the trauma bay with signs of life. BCVI incidence was 5.6% (10 of 179). Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of the neck was the only reported screening modality in this data set. A CTA was completed in 46% of the cases. DISCUSSION: BCVI incidence following pediatric hanging is more common than previously thought. Less than half of patients had a CTA reported in this cohort. This may result in an underestimate. Given the potentially devastating consequences of a missed BCVI, the addition of CTA to initial work-up may be worthwhile to evaluate for cervical vascular injury, but further studies into the outcomes of children who do receive prophylactic therapy are needed.

Upper cervical spine fracture patterns and blunt cerebrovascular injuries.

PURPOSE: To determine patterns of C1 and C2 vertebral fractures that are associated with blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of clinical and imaging reports at a level 1 trauma center over 10 consecutive years was conducted in patients with C1 and C2 fractures. Student t-test and chi-squared analyses were used to determine associations between fracture levels and fracture types with the presence of BCVI on CTA and/or MRI or stroke on CT and/or MRI. RESULTS: Multilevel fractures were associated with higher incidence of BCVI compared to isolated C1 or C2 fractures (p < 0.01), but not with stroke (p = 0.16). There was no difference in incidence of BCVI or stroke between isolated C1 and isolated C2 fractures (p = 0.46, p = 0.25). Involvement of the transverse foramen (TF) alone was not associated with BCVI or stroke (p = 0.10-0.40, p = 0.34-0.43). However, TF fractures that were comminuted or contained fracture fragment(s) were associated with increased BCVI (p < 0.01, p = 0.02), though not with stroke (p = 0.11, p = 0.09). In addition, high-energy mechanism of injury was also associated with BCVI (p < 0.01) and stroke (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: C1 and C2 fractures are associated with BCVI in the presence of high-energy mechanism of injury, concomitant fractures of other cervical vertebral body levels, comminuted TF fractures, or TF fractures with internal fragments. Attention to these fracture parameters is important in evaluating C1 and C2 fractures for BCVI.

Missed blunt cerebrovascular injuries using current screening criteria - The time for liberalized screening is now.

Diagnostic Criteria Study BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality associated with ischemic stroke attributable to blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) warrant aggressive screening. The Denver Criteria (DC) and Expanded Denver Criteria (eDC) have imprecise elements that can be difficult and subjective in application and can delay or prevent screening. We hypothesize these screening criteria lack adequate ability to consistently identify BCVI and that the use of a liberalized screening approach with CT angiography (CTA) is superior without increasing risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: This was a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of trauma patients who presented between 2015-2020 with radiographically confirmed BCVI diagnosed using each institutions' liberalized screening protocol, defined as automatic CTA of the head and neck for all patients undergoing head and neck CT. Outcomes of interest included AKI, stroke, and death due to BCVI. Outcomes were reported as frequency, percent, and 95% confidence interval as calculated by the Clopper-Pearson method. Incidence of medical follow-up within 1 year of first medical visit was quantified as the median and inter-quartile range of days to follow-up visit. RESULTS: We identified 433 BCVI patients with a mean age of 45.2 (standard deviation 18.9) years, 256 men and 177 women, 1.73 m (0.10) tall, and weighed 80.3 kg (20.3). Forty-one patients had strokes (9.5% [95% confidence interval 6.9, 12.6] and 12 patients (2.8% [1.4, 4.5]) had mortality attributable to BCVI. Of 433 total cases, 132 (30.5% [26.2, 35.1]) would have been missed by DC and 150 (34.6% [30.2, 39.3]) by eDC. Incidence of AKI in our BCVI population was 6 (1.4% [0.01, 3.0]). CONCLUSIONS: BCVI would be missed over 30% of the time using the DC and eDC compared to liberalized use of screening CTA. Risk of AKI due to CTA did not occur at a clinically meaningful level, supporting liberal CTA screening.

Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in the Elderly With Traumatic Cervical Spine Injuries: Results of a Retrospective Multi-Center Study of 1512 Cases in Japan.

This study is nationwide retrospective multi-center study to investigate the incidence and characteristics of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) in elderly Japanese patients with traumatic cervical spine injuries (CSI) including spinal cord injury (SCI) without major bone injury. The study enrolled 1512 patients (average age: 75.8 ± 6.9 years; 1007 males, 505 females) from 33 nationwide institutions, and 391 (26%) of the participants had digital subtraction angiography and/or computed tomography angiography. Fifty-three patients were diagnosed as having BCVI by angiography. We assessed neurological evaluation, comorbidities and classification of CSI in the elderly patients with/without BCVI and collected 6-month follow-up data on treatment, complications, and patient outcome. We also statistically analyzed the relative risk (RR) and relationship between BCVI and other factors. Significant differences were identified between BCVI (+) (n = 53) and (-) (n = 1459) patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA) A, C, D, cervical fracture, C3-7 injury level (AO type F and/or C), cervical dislocation, spinal surgery for CSI, tetraplegia type of SCI, and/or head injury. Fifty-three (3.5%) elderly patients had CSI complicated by BCVI including 10 (19%) cases of Denver grade I, four (7%) of grade II, 1 (2%) of grade III, 29 (55%) of grade IV, and nine (17%) of grade V. Sixteen cases were treated by interventional radiology. Rates of mortality and brain infarction from BCVI were 0.13% and 0.40%, respectively. RR of BCVI was significantly higher in the elderly cervical injury patients with head injury, severe neurological deficit, ASIA A (RR: 4.33), cervical fracture at the C3-7 level (RR: 7.39), and cervical dislocation at the C1-6 level (RR: 3.06-7.18). In conclusion, 53 (3.5%) elderly patients were complicated with BCVI. BCVI more frequently complicated head injury, severe neurological deficit (ASIA A or tetraplegia), AO type F, and/or C fractures and cervical dislocation in these patients. Six patients (11%) suffered brain infarction and two patients died from BCVI.

Multi-Center Validation of the McGovern Pediatric Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury Screening Score.

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is defined as blunt trauma to the head and neck leading to damage to the vertebral and/or carotid arteries; debate exists regarding which children are considered at high risk for BCVI and in need of angiographic/vessel imaging. We previously proposed a screening tool, the McGovern score, to identify pediatric trauma patients at high risk for BCVI, and we aim to validate the McGovern score by pooling data from multiple pediatric trauma centers. This is a multi-center, hospital-based, cohort study from all prospectively registered pediatric (<16 years of age) trauma patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) between 2003 and 2017 at six Level 1 pediatric trauma centers. The registry was retrospectively queried for patients who received a computed tomography angiogram (CTA) as a screening method for BCVI. Age, length of follow-up, mechanism of injury (MOI), arrival Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, and focal neurological deficit were recorded. Radiological variables queried were the presence of a carotid canal fracture, petrous temporal bone fracture, and CT presence of infarction. Patients with BCVI were queried for mode of treatment, type of intracranial injury, artery damaged, and BCVI injury grade. The McGovern score was calculated for all patients who underwent CTA across all data groups. A total of 1012 patients underwent CTA; 72 of these patients were found to have BCVI, 51 of which were in the validation cohort. Across all data groups, the McGovern score has a >80% sensitivity (SN) and >98% negative predictive value (NPV). The McGovern score for pediatric BCVI is an effective, generalizable screening tool.

Natural history and nonoperative management of penetrating cerebrovascular injury.

INTRODUCTION: There is a modern precedent for nonoperative management of select penetrating cerebrovascular injuries (PCVIs); however, there is minimal data to guide management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study assessed treatments, radiographic injury progression, and outcomes for all patients with PCVIs managed at an urban Level I trauma center from 2016 to 2021 that underwent initial nonoperative management (NOM). RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included. There were 11,635 trauma admissions, 378 patients with blunt cerebrovascular injury, and 18 patients with operatively-managed PCVI during this timeframe. All patients received antithrombotic therapy, but this was delayed in some due to concomitant injuries. Three patients had stroke (21%): two before antithrombotic initiation, and one with unclear timing relative to treatment. Three patients underwent endovascular interventions. On follow-up imaging, 14% had injury resolution, 36% were stable, 21% worsened, and 29% had no follow-up vascular imaging. One patient died (7%), one had a bleeding complication (7%), and no patient required delayed operative intervention. DISCUSSION: Early initiation of antithrombotic therapy, early surveillance imaging, and selective use of endovascular interventions are important for nonoperative management of PCVI.

Grade 1 Internal Carotid Artery Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury Persistence Risks Stroke With Current Management: An EAST Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Higher blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) grade and lack of medical therapy are associated with stroke. Knowledge of stroke risk factors specific to individual grades may help tailor BCVI therapy to specific injury characteristics. METHODS: A post-hoc analysis of a 16 center, prospective, observational trial (2018-2020) was performed including grade 1 internal carotid artery (ICA) BCVI. Repeat imaging was considered the second imaging occurrence only. RESULTS: From 145 grade 1 ICA BCVI included, 8 (5.5%) suffered a stroke. Grade 1 ICA BCVI with stroke were more commonly treated with mixed anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy (75.0% vs 9.6%, P <.001) and less commonly antiplatelet therapy (25.0% vs 82.5%, P = .001) compared to injuries without stroke. Of the 8 grade 1 ICA BCVI with stroke, 4 (50.0%) had stroke after medical therapy was started. In comparing injuries with resolution at repeat imaging to those without, stroke occurred in 7 (15.9%) injuries without resolution and 0 (0%) injuries with resolution (P = .005). At repeat imaging in grade 1 ICA BCVI with stroke, grade of injury was grade 1 in 2 injuries, grade 2 in 3 injuries, grade 3 in 1 injury, and grade 5 in one injury. DISCUSSION: While the stroke rate for grade 1 ICA BCVI is low overall, injury persistence appears to heighten stroke risk. Some strokes occurred despite initiation of medical therapy. Repeat imaging is needed in grade 1 ICA BCVI to evaluate for injury progression or resolution.

Above the Clavicle: A Simplified Screening Method for Asymptomatic Blunt Cerebral Vascular Injury.

INTRODUCTION: Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is an increasingly detected pattern in trauma with significant morbidity, putting patients at risk for subsequent stoke. Complex screening protocols exist to determine who should undergo CT angiography of the neck (CTAN) to evaluate for BCVI. Once identified, stroke incidence may be reduced with appropriate treatment across grades. We hypothesize that an expanded and simplified method for identifying patients with clinical suspicion for BCVI based upon injury above the clavicle (ATC) will illustrate a previously undiagnosed cohort of patients. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective review of adult (age ≥18 years) blunt trauma patients with BCVI from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center. Patients undergoing CTAN were divided into 2 groups based upon qualification by either the expanded Denver criteria or clinical evidence of any injury ATC. RESULTS: A total of 219 patients were diagnosed with BCVI (25 566 blunt trauma admissions, .9% incidence). Seventeen patients (8%) who did not satisfy expanded Denver were diagnosed with BCVI by ATC, most commonly undergoing CTAN due to facial trauma (n = 8). There were no differences in distribution of carotid artery injuries (CAI) and vertebral artery injuries (VAI) in the expanded Denver criteria group compared to the ATC group. CONCLUSIONS: CTAN for blunt trauma with any injury ATC is an easy-to-use screening tool and may be seamlessly included with initial whole-body imaging.

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.

Cerebrovascular injuries in traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury is a complex and highly heterogeneous disease due to the host of concomitant injuries that may accompany the initial insult. Due to the dynamic interplay between the injuries that may arise, the management of these injuries is challenging. In a small subset of patients with traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular injury may occur, which presents its own diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. These vascular injuries often present in a delayed fashion, thereby going unnoticed by clinicians. Early recognition and treatment of these injuries is crucial, given their high morbidity and mortality. Through a critical review of the literature, we present the spectrum of cerebrovascular injuries that may occur with traumatic brain injury and discuss classification systems that are used to stratify cerebrovascular injury. We then focus on the diagnosis of cerebral vascular injury using different neuroimaging modalities. Lastly, we explore the treatment of these injuries ranging from antiplatelet therapies to endovascular and open vascular procedures. By highlighting the pitfalls and challenges of this complex disease, we hope to provide clinicians with the framework to recognize and treat vascular injuries that are seen in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Cervical fracture patterns associated with blunt cerebrovascular injures when utilizing computed tomographic angiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Prior studies have demonstrated an association between cervical spine fractures and blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) due to the intimate anatomic relationship between the cervical spine and the vertebral arteries. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has historically been the gold standard, but computed tomography angiography (CTA) is commonly used to screen for BCVI in the trauma setting. However, there is no consensus regarding which fracture patterns mandate screening. Over aggressive screening may lead to increased radiation, increased false positives, and overtreatment of patients which can cause unnecessary patient harm, and increased healthcare costs. PURPOSE: The aim of this meta-analysis is to analyze which cervical spine fracture patterns are most predictive of BCVI when utilizing CTA. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Systematic review and meta-analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratios for specific cervical fracture patterns and risk of developing a BCVI. METHODS: A systematic literature review of all English language studies from 2000-2020 was conducted. The year 2000 was chosen as the cut-off because use of CTA prior to 2000 was rare. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) the diagnostic imaging modality was CTA; (2) investigated blunt cervical trauma; (3) noted specific cervical spine fracture patterns associated with BCVI; (4) odds ratios for specific cervical spine fracture patterns or the odds ratio could be calculated; (5) subjects were 18 years old or older. Studies were excluded if they: (1) included DSA or magnetic resonance imaging; (2) included penetrating cervical trauma; (3) included pediatric patients less than 18 years of age; (4) were not written in English. All statistical analysis was performed using R Studio (RStudio, Boston, MA, USA). RESULTS: The initial search, after duplicates were removed, resulted in 10,940 articles for independent review. Six studies met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Specific fracture patterns mentioned are isolated C1, C2, C3 fractures, any C1-C3 fracture, any C4-C7 fracture, two-level fractures, subluxation/dislocations, and transverse foramen (TF) fractures. Three studies were included in the meta-analysis for C1, C2, C1-C3, subluxations/dislocations, and TF fractures. Two studies were included in the meta-analysis for C3, C4-C7, and two-level fractures. The pooled odds ratio with 95% confidence interval for: C1 fractures and BCVI is 1.3 (0.8-2.1); C2: 1.6 (0.9-2.8); C3: 1.8 (0.9-3.6); C1-C3: 2.2 (1.1-4.2); C4-C7: 0.7 (0.3-1.7); Two-level: 2.5 (1.4-4.6); Subluxation/Dislocation: 2.9 (1.8-4.5); TF: 3.6 (1.4-8.9). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This study found that when utilizing CTA for screening of BCVI only fractures in the C1-C3 region, two-level fractures, subluxations/dislocations, and transverse foramen fractures were associated with increased incidence of a BCVI. Further refinement of protocols for CTA in the setting of blunt cervical trauma may help limit unnecessary patient harm from overtreatment and reduce healthcare costs.

Ankylosis of the cervical spine increases the incidence of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) in CTA screening after blunt trauma.

PURPOSE: To examine the incidence, location, and grade of blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI), as well as associated strokes in patients with ankylosis of the cervical spine, imaged with CT angiography (CTA) after blunt trauma. The related etiologies of ankylosis had an additional focus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Altogether of 5867 CTAs of the craniocervical arteries imaged after blunt trauma between October 2011 and March 2020 were manually reviewed for a threshold value of ankylosis of at least three consecutive cervical vertebrae. BCVI was the primary outcome and associated stroke as the secondary outcome. Variables were craniofacial and cervical spine fractures, etiology and levels of ankylosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal hematoma, spinal cord injury, and spinal cord impingement, for which correlations with BCVI were examined. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients with ankylosis and blunt trauma of the cervical spine, 29 had a total of 36 BCVIs, of whom two had anterior and 4 posterior circulation strokes. Most of the BCVIs (n = 32) were in the vertebral arteries. Injuries were graded according to the Biffl scale: 17 grade II, 4 grade III, 14 grade IV, and 1 grade V. A ground-level fall was the most common trauma mechanism. Cervical spine fracture was the only statistically significant predictor for BCVI (OR 7.44). Degenerative spondylosis was the most prevalent etiology for ankylosis. CONCLUSION: Ankylosis of the cervical spine increases the incidence of BCVI up to sevenfold compared to general blunt trauma populations, affecting especially the vertebral arteries.

Current Concepts in Imaging Diagnosis and Screening of Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries.

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is an often underrecognized injury occurring in the carotid or vertebral arteries, associated with a risk of ischemic stroke and potential for poor neurological outcome or death. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is the most common modality for initial screening and diagnosis. Vessel wall intimal injuries, intraluminal thrombus, dissection, intramural hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, vessel transection, and arteriovenous fistula, are potential findings to be considered in approach to imaging. Identification of high-risk trauma patients based on clinical and radiological risk factors can determine patients at risk of BCVI for targeted screening.

Imaging analysis of ischemic strokes due to blunt cerebrovascular injury.

BACKGROUND: The timing of stroke onset among patients with blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) is not well understood. All blunt trauma patients at our institution undergo a screening computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the neck. Most patients with CTA evidence of BCVI are treated with aspirin, and all patients with clinical evidence of stroke are treated with aspirin and undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. We conducted a retrospective review to determine the incidence of stroke upon admission and following admission. METHODS: All neck CTAs and head MRIs obtained in blunt trauma patients were reviewed from August 2017 to August 2019. All CTAs that were interpreted as showing BCVI were individually reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of BCVI. Stroke was defined as brain MRI evidence of new ischemic lesions, and each MRI was reviewed to identify the brain territory affected. We extracted the time to aspirin administration and the timing of stroke onset from patients' electronic health records. RESULTS: Of the 6,849 blunt trauma patients, 479 (7.0%) had BCVIs. Twenty-four patients (5.0%) with BCVI had a stroke on admission. Twelve (2.6%) of the remaining 455 patients subsequently had a stroke during their hospitalization. The incidence of stroke among patients with BCVI was 7.5%; 2.6% were potentially preventable. Only 5 of the 12 patients received aspirin before the onset of stroke symptoms. All 36 patients with BCVI and stroke had thromboembolic lesions in the territory supplied by an injured vessel. CONCLUSION: With universal screening, CTA evidence of BCVI is common among blunt trauma patients. Although acute stroke is also relatively common in this population, two thirds of strokes are already evident on admission. One third of BCVI-related strokes occur after admission and often relatively early, necessitating rapid commencement of preventative treatment. Further studies are required to demonstrate the value of antithrombotic administration in preventing stroke in BCVI patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiologic; Level IV.