LOCKED-IN SYNDROME RESULTING FROM CERVICAL-SPINE GUNSHOT WOUND

A patient sustained a cervical spine gunshot wound resulting in immedi ate quadriplegia and obstruction of both vertebral arteries. After an 8-hour delay, basilar artery thrombosis occurred and resulted in locke d-in syndrome, Bilateral occlusion of the vertebral arteries after pen etrating cervical trauma has not been reported previously. The inciden ce and treatment of traumatic basilar thrombosis and locked-in syndrom e is reviewed, Rapid diagnosis of ascending thrombosis and prompt trea tment with hyperdynamics and anticoagulation may improve outcome.