J Pediatr Intensive Care 2019; 08(04): 233-237
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1692670
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Traumatic Vertebral Artery Dissection and Basilar Artery Occlusion/Stroke in a 7-Year-Old Child: A Case Report

1   Department of Pediatrics, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
,
Trusha Shah
2   Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine, Vallejo, California, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

28 March 2019

15 May 2019

Publication Date:
24 June 2019 (online)

Abstract

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) followed by basilar artery occlusion/stroke (BAO/BAS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. We present a case report of a 7-year-old boy with VAD complicated by BAO/BAS 4 days after falling off a scooter. Symptoms included left-sided weakness and facial droop preceded by a 20-minute episode of altered sensorium. Magnetic resonance imaging showed ischemic changes in the left posterior inferior cerebellum and right pons. Computed tomography angiogram confirmed dissection of the left vertebral artery with occlusion/thrombosis of the basilar artery. Heparinization for 96 hours, followed by 6 months of low-molecular weight heparin injection, resulted in improvement of his neurological symptoms.

 
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