Blunt cerebrovascular injuries

Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) after trauma occur in 1-3% of all blunt trauma admissions. Despite a relatively low incidence, these injuries are associated with significant neurologic morbidity and mortality. The development of aggressive screening protocols and the improvement of multidetector computed tomography have allowed for earlier recognition and management of BCVI with antithrombotic therapy. These advances have resulted in decreased rates of stroke and mortality over the last 30 years. In this chapter, we review the epidemiology, risk factors, screening criteria, imaging strategies, treatment, and outcomes of patients with BCVI.