A Case of Vertebral Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Repetitive Ischemic Stroke Ten Years after a Stab Wound : A Case Report

Abstract

  Vertebral artery injuries associated with head and neck trauma, specifically sharp vertebral artery injuries including gunshot or puncture wounds, rarely occur, and account for less than 1% of trauma cases. However, based on previous reports, patients with this type of injury frequently develop massive hemorrhage and consequent airway narrowing, which are fatal. This study reports the case of a 30-year-old man, who suffered from a penetrating left neck and chest injury ten years ago. He presented at the emergency department with a chief complaint of dizziness and confusion. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a 58-mm partially thrombosed pseudoaneurysm in the left vertebral artery. The contralateral vertebral artery was essentially normal. A parent artery occlusion was performed. To embolize the long segment as much as possible, a vascular embolization device and a coil for cerebral aneurysms were used. The patient had a good outcome with no recurrence of cerebral infarction.