Multiple trauma complicated by traumatic vertebral artery injury without cervical vertebral injury: A case report

BACKGROUND: Blunt traumatic vertebral artery injury is commonly associated with head and cervical spinal trauma. However, those associated with chest or upper extremity injuries without cervical spine-related trauma are rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 94-year-old woman was injured in a motor vehicle crash. She was diagnosed with traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, bilateral subdural hematomas, right vertebral artery injury, and right clavicle fracture. No cervical spine injuries were observed. It was possible that the fracture fragment of the right clavicle may have directly injured the right vertebral artery. Coil embolization was performed for the vertebral artery injury. The patient had a good postoperative course and was transferred to the hospital for rehabilitation on day 65. CONCLUSION: Regarding the high-risk injury mechanism, blunt traumatic vertebral artery injuries in the V1–2 segment may occur in cases with clavicle fractures.