Table 1.

Findings that are suspicious for BCVI and should trigger screening

Cervical spine fractures with C1-C3 vertebral fracture

Extension into transverse foramen or lateral elements of vertebra

Luxation/subluxation or distraction mechanism

Closed head injury with diffuse axonal injury

Neurologic examinations incongruent with brain imaging

Stroke or transient ischemic attack

Horner syndrome

Basilar skull fracture with involvement of carotid canal, foramen lacerum

Severe maxillofacial fracture

Carotid or vertebral artery perivascular hematoma

Neck soft tissue injury (eg, seatbelt injury or hanging)

Note:—BCVI indicates blunt carotid and vertebral artery injury.

From Utter et al⁹, Cothren et al¹⁰, Miller et al¹⁴, and Sliker et al¹⁵.