Endovascular Treatment of Penetrating Injury to the Vertebral Artery by a Stab Wound: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: We describe a unique case of a patient with penetration of the cervical region by a stab wound, who required emergency care for the controlled removal of the knife and for vertebral artery trauma (VAT) treatment. Although rare, VAT causes high morbidity and mortality.

METHODS: A patient admitted for emergency care was diagnosed with traumatic complete section of the vertebral artery by a knife and underwent removal of the knife under radioscopic supervision and vertebral artery embolization with coils.

RESULTS: The knife was removed successfully, the bleeding was controlled, and the patient did not present any sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS: In the authors' experience, a patient in an emergent state due to VAT can be treated effectively and quickly with proximal embolization.