J. Fletcher et al., TRAUMATIC CAROTID AND VERTEBRAL ARTERY DISSECTION IN A PROFESSIONAL JOCKEY - A CAUTIONARY TALE, British journal of sports medicine, 29(2), 1995, pp. 143-144
Jockeys accept bony fractures and soft tissue injuries as occupational
hazards. An average National Hunt jockey falls once in ten races with
an injury rate of 4.25%(1). Head injury is a common cause of morbidit
y and the benefit of helmets is well recognized. Neck injuries are als
o common and usually musculoskeletal. Although rare, trauma to the nec
k arteries may go unnoticed yet have catastrophic consequences. Intern
al tears can allow arterial blood to dissect the layers of the arteria
l wall and obstruct the lumen. Severe obstruction may lead to cerebral
ischaemia and infarction. An appreciation of the early clinical signs
caused by this process may allow effective intervention. We report a
case which illustrates these points.