Abstract
Vertebral artery and esophageal injuries are rare but feared complications of cervical spine surgery. Appropriate understanding of treatment algorithms for prompt intervention in the event of a vertebral artery injury minimizes the risk of exsanguination and/or profound neurologic consequences. Esophageal injuries are often more subtle, and although intraoperative injuries can sometimes be diagnosed at the time of surgery, they frequently do not present until the week after surgery. They can additionally be seen as a late complication of instrumentation usage and/or failure. Expedient diagnosis and management of these injuries minimize their impact and allow for optimal treatment outcome.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Arteries / injuries
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Atlanto-Axial Joint / diagnostic imaging
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Atlanto-Axial Joint / pathology
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Atlanto-Axial Joint / surgery
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Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
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Cervical Vertebrae / pathology
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Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Decompression, Surgical / methods
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Esophagus / blood supply*
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Humans
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Incidence
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Intraoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
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Intraoperative Complications / epidemiology
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Intraoperative Complications / therapy*
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Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Orthopedic Procedures / adverse effects*
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Orthopedic Procedures / methods
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Risk Assessment
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Spinal Diseases / diagnosis
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Spinal Diseases / surgery
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Spinal Fusion / adverse effects
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Spinal Fusion / methods
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
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Treatment Outcome
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Vascular System Injuries / diagnostic imaging
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Vascular System Injuries / etiology*
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Vascular System Injuries / therapy*
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Vertebral Artery / diagnostic imaging
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Vertebral Artery / injuries*