Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society
Year 2024, Volume 36, Issue 3, Pages 20-24
https://doi.org/10.26715/jbms.36_3_3Dhafer M Kamal1, Fatima A. Fakhroo2
1Senior Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon, Head of Department of Surgery, King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services.
2Chief Resident, Neurosurgery Department, Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services.
*Corresponding author:
Prof. Dhafer M Kamal, Senior Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon, Head of Department of Surgery, King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services, Kingdom of Bahrain; Tel. No.: (+973) 36466300; Email: dhaferkamal@hotmail.com
Received date: June 26, 2024; Accepted date: September 01, 2024; Published date: September 30, 2024
For appendix, tables and figures (if any), please refer to PDF.
Abstract
Blunt carotid artery injury (BCAI) is a rare sequelae of blunt neck trauma. It may lead to stroke and major neurological deficits. Therefore, early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent or reduce associated morbidity. We report a 22-year-old male who sustained an accidental left BCAI with an air-gun bullet. The injury was suspected on clinical assessment and confirmed by a CT/angiogram of the neck. The patient was promptly started on therapeutic anticoagulation and did not develop any neurological deficits. Our case emphasizes the importance of non-invasive management of BCAI, which requires a high index of clinical suspicion for diagnosis. Once confirmed, starting therapeutic anticoagulation early is vital to avoid fatal consequences, namely strokes, in such patients.
Keywords: Blunt injury; Carotid artery; Stroke; Anticoagulation; Vascular Trauma