Pediatric blunt vertebral artery injury: case report and treatment plan

J Pediatr Surg. 2009 Mar;44(3):e5-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.11.044.

Abstract

Aggressive screening for blunt cerebrovascular injuries in patients with trauma has led to the identification and successful treatment of these injuries. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy who sustained a vertebral artery injury after a motor vehicle collision. Computed tomography angiogram showed an 8-mm thrombosed segment of the vertebral artery. The patient was initially anticoagulated with a heparin drip and transitioned over to treatment with enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox). With few reports in the literature of blunt cerebrovascular injuries in the pediatric population, a review of the appropriate screening parameters, treatment plans, and follow-up is helpful for the practicing physician.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Algorithms
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Enoxaparin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Spinal Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Fractures / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vertebral Artery / injuries*
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / epidemiology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / therapy*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Enoxaparin