Combining Endovascular Coiling and Open Evacuation for a Delayed-Onset Ruptured Post-traumatic Pseudoaneurysm of the Distal Paracentral Pericallosal Artery Branch

Cerebrovascular pseudoaneurysm development and rupture is a rare, delayed sequelae of trauma. We present a case of a female patient in her sixties who presented after a fall without evidence of vascular injury on imaging. However, after one week, repeat imaging due to an abrupt change in mental status revealed a ruptured pseudoaneurysm, which was treated with a combination of coil embolization and open surgical evacuation of associated intracranial hematoma. This case illustrates the importance of continued surveillance beyond the acute traumatic period to identify late-onset complications in trauma patients requiring emergent treatment.

Delayed Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Following Cervical Spine Trauma

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a potentially life-threatening condition, depending on the position in which the vocal cords are paralyzed. When the vocal cords are fixed in adduction, patients develop respiratory distress, inspiratory stridor, aspiration, and minimal phonation deficits. This condition can result from acute injuries to the right and left recurrent laryngeal nerves, or from chronic bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. The clinical presentation is variable with such nerve injuries. Traumatic injuries to the cervical spine are an uncommon cause of this condition. In this report, we describe a patient who developed progressive respiratory distress, inspiratory stridor, and dysphagia to liquids several weeks after suffering major trauma to the head and neck. Laryngoscopy revealed immobile bilateral vocal cords fixed in the paramedian position, resulting in severe airway obstruction that warranted an emergency tracheostomy.

A C1 Jefferson Fracture With Vertebral Artery Occlusion and Cerebellar Infarction: A Case Report

Jefferson fracture is a C1 fracture, which happens when an axial load is from the occiput downward to the C1 ring. Usually, it causes outward displacement of the C1 arch, which can injure the vertebral artery. We present a Jefferson fracture with vertebral artery injury, resulting in an asymptomatic ischemic stroke of the left cerebellum. Usually, vertebral artery injuries are asymptomatic since the contralateral vertebral artery and the collateral arteries will adequately supply the cerebellum. Vertebral artery injury (VAI) is typically treated with conservative management with anticoagulants and antiplatelet therapy.

Vertebral Artery Injury with Coinciding Unstable Cervical Spine Trauma: Mechanisms, Evidence-based Management, and Treatment Options

Unstable traumatic cervical spine fracture is a commonly encountered neurosurgical issue. Concomitant vertebral artery injuries present a challenge in surgical decision-making regarding the timing and order of surgical intervention with respect to endovascular intervention and internal fixation of the unstable fracture. Currently, there are no studies that have specifically examined stroke rate or outcomes for patients who have vertebral artery injuries and unstable cervical spine fractures with respect to temporal treatment course. The purpose of this paper is to review the current evidence for the standards of diagnosis and management of vertebral artery injuries with coinciding unstable cervical spine injuries and propose an evidence-based algorithm for workup and treatment.