Imaging advances reduce stroke, mortality after blunt cerebrovascular injury

Editor's Note

Advances in diagnostic imaging technology have resulted in more trauma patients being diagnosed with blunt cerebrovascular injuries, which has resulted in a significant decline in stroke and mortality, this study finds.

From 1985 to the end of 2015, the percentage of blunt trauma patients diagnosed with blunt cerebrovascular injury increased six-fold, from 0.33% to 2%.

At the same time, the percentage of these patients who had a stroke as a result of the injury declined from 37% to 5%, and mortality declined from 24% to 0%.

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) was under-diagnosed until the 1990's when blunt carotid injuries were found to be more common than historically described. Technological advancements and regionalization of trauma care have resulted in increased screening and improved diagnosis of BCVI. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that systematic evaluation of the screening and diagnosis of BCVI, combined with early and aggressive treatment, have led to reductions in BCVI-related stroke and mortality.