Trauma to the cerebrovascular system

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 1994 Nov;4(4):753-72.

Abstract

Trauma to the cerebrovascular system can result in vascular injuries, such as dissection, pseudoaneurysm, thrombosis, rupture, and arteriovenous fistula. Although the diagnosis of vascular injury is usually considered in all cases of penetrating trauma, it may be overlooked in patients with nonpenetrating trauma. The possibility of vascular injury should be considered in all patients with head and neck trauma, especially those patients with acute or delayed neurologic dysfunction. Although intra-arterial angiography remains the gold standard diagnostic tool, the combination of MR imaging and MR angiography may permit noninvasive diagnosis of vascular injury. Moreover, MR readily provides detection of intracranial sequelae, such as cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhage.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnosis
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Brain Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Carotid Artery, Internal / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Angiography*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography*
  • Male
  • Vertebral Artery / diagnostic imaging