• Clay Cothren Burlew and Walter L Biffl.
• Department of Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center, The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado 80204, USA. clay.cothren@dhha.org
• Curr Opin Crit Care. 2010 Dec 1; 16 (6): 587-95.

Purpose Of ReviewBlunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) are a rare but potentially devastating injury with stroke rates up to 50%. Over the past decade, the recognition and subsequent management of these injuries has undergone a marked evolution. This review will focus on the rationale for BCVI screening, imaging options, and treatment modalities.Recent FindingsThere are no prospective randomized controlled trials evaluating the management of BCVI. Available studies support screening a high-risk patient population based upon injury mechanism and constellation of associated injuries using multidetector-row (16-slice or greater) computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Although the ideal regimen of antithrombotic therapy has yet to be determined, treatment with either anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents has been shown to reduce BCVI-related stroke rate.SummaryCerebrovascular injuries (CVI) are now diagnosed in approximately 1% of blunt trauma patients. The recognition of a clinically silent period allows for injury screening based upon mechanism of trauma and the patient's injury pattern. Following identification of injuries in asymptomatic patients, prompt initiation of antithrombotic therapy reduces the incidence of stroke.

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