research
Carotid artery thrombosis and cerebral infarction after
multiple traumas
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Abstract
Carotid artery thrombosis and concomitant brain infarction after blunt trauma are rare
conditions. We report a 34-year-old woman with multiple traumas due to pedestrian
car accident. At the time of initial visiting, she was somnolent and her Glasgow coma
scale (GCS) score was 14. Initial vital signs (V/S) and brain computed tomography (CT)
scan were normal. One day after admission to the emergency observation unit, GCS
improved to 15 but right-sided hemiparesis occurred. Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) showed brain infarction and Doppler sonography indicated internal carotid artery
thrombosis. She was admitted in the Neurosurgery ward and underwent anticoagulant
therapy. With appropriate treatment, the patient’s condition improved after 5 days of
admission and she was discharged on oral warfarin treatment and close follow up.
Although there is no ideal treatment for traumatic internal carotid artery thrombosis, it
seems that in most cases anticoagulation therapy is the preferred method of treatment
but in some patients surgical or endovascular revascularization is indicated.
Keywords: Trauma, Brain, Infarction, Accident