Iatrogenic vertebral artery injury secondary to vessel tortuosity in a grossly degenerate cervical spine

Br J Neurosurg. 2014 Jun;28(3):423-5. doi: 10.3109/02688697.2014.913772. Epub 2014 May 8.

Abstract

Iatrogenic vertebral artery (VA) injury is a rare but significant complication of anterior cervical spine surgery. In the grossly degenerate cervical spine the VA may adopt a tortuous pathway thus predisposing to inadvertent injury during surgery. Here we illustrate such a case and discuss potential management strategies.

Keywords: Iatrogenic; tortuous vertebral artery; vertebral artery injury; vertebrectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Aneurysm, False / surgery
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
  • Endovascular Procedures
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iatrogenic Disease*
  • Middle Aged
  • Vertebral Artery / abnormalities
  • Vertebral Artery / injuries*
  • Vertebral Artery / surgery