Traumatic Injury of the Carotid and Vertebral Arteries and their Neurointerventional Treatment

Abstract

Traumatic injuries of the carotid and vertebral arteries include direct carotid-cavernous fistula, intracranial pseudoaneurysm and arterial dissection, which cause a series of symptoms and may be life threatening. Computed tomographic angiography is the most common modality for initial screening and diagnosis. The subsequent management of any identified vessel injury, however, is not clearly defined. With the development of neurointerventional materials and technology, endovascular therapy is playing an important role in treatment of these neurovascular injuries. Balloon, coil, liquid embolic materials, covered stent and flow diversion have been effectively used in clinical practice. This chapter reviews the epidemiology, injury mechanism, clinical manifestations, classification system, diagnostic imaging and endovascular treatment of traumatic neurovascular injuries.