Endovascular management of exsanguinating vertebral artery transection

Surg Neurol. 2005 Oct;64(4):331-4; discussion 334. doi: 10.1016/j.surneu.2004.11.029.

Abstract

Background: Vertebral artery (VA) transection is a rarely described entity that may present dramatically with a life-threatening external hemorrhage.

Case description: A 25-year-old man that was victim of a terrorist attack presented a gunshot wound to the mouth with massive bleeding. The bullet perforated the oropharynx and injured the right VA. Combined antegrade and retrograde endovascular embolization by means of detachable coils allowed rapid control of the bleeding.

Conclusion: Bleeding related to VA transection can be managed safely by means of endovascular combined approaches.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / etiology
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / prevention & control
  • Brain Stem Infarctions / surgery
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Vertebrae / injuries
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / instrumentation
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / instrumentation
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Prostheses and Implants
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / instrumentation
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Vertebral Artery / injuries*
  • Vertebral Artery / pathology
  • Vertebral Artery / surgery*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Gunshot / pathology
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery*