Computed Tomography Predictors of Vascular Injury in Cranioencephalic Trauma Patients

Abstract

Abstract Objective A frequent challenge for the neurosurgeon when treating a patient with cranioencephalic trauma is to determine whether the patient has a vascular lesion, when to suspect it, and what studies to request. In this context, the objective of the present study was to identify the variables on cranial computed tomography (CT) scans that predict vascular injury in digital subtraction angiography in patients with cranioencephalic trauma. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with cranioencephalic trauma admitted to the Hospital Universitario del Valle between June 2016 and June 2019. Subjects with available simple CT images of the skull and digital subtraction angiography were included. Results A total of 138 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were identified. The average age was 32 years, 82% were men, and the most frequent mechanism of injury was firearm wound (59%). The variables associated with vascular injury were fracture of the base of the temporal skull and sphenoid fracture. Conclusion The presence of fractures of the base of the temporal skull and sphenoid fractures is associated with vascular injury in patients with cranioencephalic trauma.