Endovascular therapy of traumatic injuries of the extracranial cerebral arteries

Traumatic injuries of the extracranial portions of the cerebral arteries (c arotid and vertebrals) are probably underdiagnosed. Although the majority o f patients with these vascular injuries fare well with conservative treatme nt, particularly anticoagulation, many of them have recurrent or progressiv e neurologic symptoms that require intervention. Surgical reconstruction ha s been performed in the past, but more recently, endovascular therapy is ga ining popularity. Once a decision is made to undertake this form of treatme nt, the care of the patient should become focused on the issues pertaining to the injury and the intervention.