Document Detail


Neck pain and minor trauma: normal radiographs do not always exclude serious pathology.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18723722     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A 37-year-old woman presented following a trampolining accident with neck pain and paraesthesia of the left arm. Cervical spine radiographs were normal and a provisional diagnosis of whiplash was made. Three hours later she developed rotational vertigo and then cerebellar signs. Magnetic resonance angiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain confirmed the diagnosis of vertebral artery dissection (VAD) with cerebellar embolic infarcts. She was anticoagulated and symptoms resolved over one week. VAD is a relatively common cause of posterior circulation stroke in young people. It usually presents following (often minor) trauma, with headache, neck pain, cerebellar, sensory and cranial nerve signs. However, it remains a diagnosis that is frequently missed or misdiagnosed.
Authors:
T Ribbons; S Bell
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Emergency medicine journal : EMJ     Volume:  25     ISSN:  1472-0213     ISO Abbreviation:  Emerg Med J     Publication Date:  2008 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-08-25     Completed Date:  2008-11-17     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100963089     Medline TA:  Emerg Med J     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  609-10     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Accident and Emergency Department, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK. tamsinribbons@doctors.org.uk
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Athletic Injuries / etiology,  radiography*
Cerebral Infarction / diagnosis*,  etiology
Diagnosis, Differential
Emergencies
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Neck Injuries / etiology,  radiography*
Neck Pain / etiology,  radiography*
Paresthesia / etiology

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Meningitis in a butcher.
Next Document:  Atropine-resistant bradycardia due to hyperkalaemia.