Blunt cerebrovascular injury. Screening in the context of whole body imaging of trauma patients

Blunt cerebrovascular injury is an occasional but significant (diagnostically, clinically, and therapeutically) finding in multitrauma patients. These traumatic vascular lesions can be detected using modern noninvasive vascular imaging techniques such as computed tomography angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. This article emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high suspicion for unsuspected traumatic vessel lesions, describes our own experiences in imaging of trauma patients in this context, and gives an overview of the relevant literature concerning conservative (anticoagulation) and endovascular treatment options.