Right Vertebral Artery Transection with a Vertical Distraction of C5-6: Case Report of a Patient Survival

Abstract

Spinal column injuries are very commonly diagnosed in the multitrauma population, and extensive distraction injuries are often fatal due to cerebrovascular injuries or spinal cord injuries. We present a 62-year-old female who presented after an MVC with a 2-cm vertical distraction injury of C5-6 with a right vertebral artery transection and left vertebral artery dissection. She received multidisciplinary treatment which resulted in her survival, albeit with severe neurologic deficits. We challenge the current literature that suggests a blunt vertebral artery transection is 100% fatal.