Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury in Patients with Blunt Multiple Trauma: Diagnostic Accuracy of Duplex Doppler US and Early CT Angiography

Abstract

Injuries to the cervical arteries among blunt trauma patients are more common than previously reported. Duplex Doppler US has inadequate sensitivity to help rule out this condition. The notable morbidity with missed dissections warrants routine contrast material-enhanced studies of the carotid and vertebral vessels if patients are scheduled for CT of the cervical spine.