Prasad N, Mitra A, Shlobin NA, Azad HA, Cloney MB, Hopkins BS, Jahromi BS, Potts MB, Dahdaleh NS. Traumatic and Spontaneous Vertebral Artery Dissections: An Analysis of Tertiary-Center 310 Patient Cohort.
Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2021;
21:343-350. [PMID:
34392360 DOI:
10.1093/ons/opab277]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Vertebral artery dissections (VADs) are rare yet potentially devastating events. While the etiology of these events is either traumatic or spontaneous, there is a paucity of quantitative literature comparing the two.
OBJECTIVE
To identify differences in predisposing factors, event characteristics, and clinical outcomes between traumatic VADs (tVADs) and spontaneous VADs (sVADs).
METHODS
We retrospectively identified patients with VADs presenting to our institution at VAD onset with at least a 3-mo follow-up. Demographics, event characteristics, treatment details, and neurological outcomes as modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were collected.
RESULTS
Of the 310 patients sustaining 366 VADs total, 187 (60.3%) patients experienced a total of 221 (60.4%) sVADs and 123 (39.7%) patients experienced a total of 145 (39.6%) tVADs. sVADs were more likely to occur in the intracranial course of the artery (P = .042) and have a lower mRS at discharge, 3-month, and last clinical follow-up (P = 003, .002, and .001, respectively). tVADs were more likely associated with concomitant fractures (P < .001).
CONCLUSION
Despite similar patient populations, tVADs are associated with higher mRS scores at all time points. Although further study is needed, this may suggest other concomitant trauma rather than the VAD itself is contributing to worse neurological status in patients with tVADs.
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