Adult risk factors were identified in 91% of children diagnosed with this injury.
Screening guidelines for blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) exist for adults but not for children. To determine whether adult screening criteria apply to children, researchers reviewed records for 1209 children aged <15 years with blunt trauma who were admitted to a single level I trauma center during a 5-year period.
Of 128 children retrospectively identified as having one or more adult risk factors, only 42% underwent computed tomography angiography, digital subtraction cerebral angiography, or both. Fourteen BCVIs (9 single carotid, 3 bilateral carotid, and 2 single vertebral artery injuries) were identified in 11 patients. Most BCVIs occurred from motor vehicle collisions.
Adult risk factors for BCVI were present in the 52 patients who u…