Acta chirurgica Scandinavica
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Three cases of carotid artery injury following blunt cervical trauma are reported and the literature is reviewed. The condition carries high morbidity and mortality rates, due to occlusion of the internal carotid artery. The diagnosis is often delayed, as the symptoms of carotid injury frequently are mistakenly attributed to head injury. ⋯ Tomography of the neck following intravenous injection of contrast medium may be useful for demonstrating occlusion of the carotid artery. Heightened awareness of this injury is important for early diagnosis. Immediate revascularization may improve the poor prognosis.