Hyperextension and Rotation of Head Causing Internal Carotid Artery Laceration with Basilar Subarachnoid Hematoma

Hyperextension of the head can cause injury to the vessels at the base of the brain. These lacerations are believed to be caused by stretching of the vessels due to the abrupt movement of the head and rotational acceleration of the brain within the cranium, and they usually occur in the intracranial...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences 2003-11, Vol.48 (6), p.1-3
Main Authors: Kindelberger, D, Gilmore, K, Catanese, CA, Armbrustmacher, VW
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Blood vessels
Carotid Artery Injuries - etiology
Carotid Artery Injuries - pathology
Carotid Artery, Internal - pathology
Craniocerebral Trauma - complications
Craniocerebral Trauma - etiology
Forensic pathology
Forensic sciences
Hematoma - etiology
Hematoma - pathology
Hemorrhage
Humans
Injuries
Male
Maxillofacial Injuries - complications
Maxillofacial Injuries - etiology
Rotation - adverse effects
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic - etiology
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic - pathology
Vertebral Artery Dissection - etiology
Vertebral Artery Dissection - pathology
Wounds, Nonpenetrating - complications
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Summary:Hyperextension of the head can cause injury to the vessels at the base of the brain. These lacerations are believed to be caused by stretching of the vessels due to the abrupt movement of the head and rotational acceleration of the brain within the cranium, and they usually occur in the intracranial portions of the vessels, producing a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is the case of a 35-year-old man who received a blow to the face that forcefully hyperextended and rotated his head to the left. Autopsy revealed an intracranial right internal carotid laceration extending from a calcified atherosclerotic plaque. This unusual injury may be due to a combination of blunt force applied to the head and the alteration of the vessel's structural and functional capacities secondary to atherosclerosis.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1520/JFS2002366