Traumatic Aneurysm of the Extracranial Vertebral Artery

Abstract

Abstract Aneurysms of the extracranial vertebral artery are rare because of the protection afforded by the bony canal, and the literature contains only a few limited reports on this subject. In the view of its rarity, we present the case of a 20-year-old soldier with a traumatic aneurysm of the vertebral artery at the C-2 level. Because of occlusion of the ipsilateral carotid artery, reconstruction of the vertebral artery by autogenous vein graft was undertaken through a posterior approach; because of inadequate mobilization of the artery, continuity was preserved using aneurysmorrhaphy. The literature is reviewed, and the various treatments are discussed.