Right Vertebral Artery Transection With a Vertical Distraction of C5-6: Case Report of a Patient Survival. Issue 5 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffard, Jared; Bollig, Reagan
• Is Part Of: American surgeon. Volume 86:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 531
• Page End: 533
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: vertebral artery transection -- bilateral vertebral artery injury -- vertical cervical distraction -- blunt cerebrovascular injury; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- United States -- Periodicals; 617.0973
• DOI: 10.1177/0003134820919725
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-1348

Abstract

Spinal column injuries are very commonly diagnosed in the multitrauma population, and extensive distraction injuries are often fatal due to cerebrovascular injuries or spinal cord injuries. We present a 62-year-old female who presented after an MVC with a 2-cm vertical distraction injury of C5-6 with a right vertebral artery transection and left vertebral artery dissection. She received multidisciplinary treatment which resulted in her survival, albeit with severe neurologic deficits. We challenge the current literature that suggests a blunt vertebral artery transection is 100% fatal.