TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF VERTEBRAL ARTERIES

Penetrating or blunt traumatic injuries of the vertebral arteries is not common. The clinical presentation and outcome of vertebral artery trauma are primarily related to associated injuries rather than to specific arterial lesion itself. The mechanism of traumatic injury is critical in determining the appropriate diagnostic and treatment regimens. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mechanisms and angiographic findings in vertebral artery traumas. Eleven patients with vertebral artery injuries were studied by angiography in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tabriz. 82% of our patients were male and 18% were female. The average age was 37.20±12.41 years old. The most common cause of the injury was blunt trauma and the most common site was the origin of vertebral arteries. The most common type of vascular injuries was complete arterial occulusion. Penetrating trauma was thought to account for more than 95% of all cerebrovascular injuries in the past but it appears that blunt injury may account for one third of the cases. In developed countries, blunt vertebral artery injuries occur principally with spinal injuries and in our country occur with upper thoracic rib fractures. Therefore, in our country many cases of blunt vertebral artery injuries, specially associated with cervical spine trauma's are missing so aggressive diagnostic screening is necessary for accurate diagnosis.