Big Problems in Little Patients: Nationwide Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury Outcomes in the Pediatric Population

BACKGROUND: Blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVI) are uncommon but potentially devastating. The epidemiology, outcomes, and screening criteria are well described in adults, but data in pediatric patients are extremely limited. The purpose of this study was to characterize pediatric BCVI in a large nationwide sample. We hypothesized that outcomes of BCVI in the pediatric blunt trauma population will vary by age. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of the Kids' Inpatient Database for pediatric BCVI from 2000 to 2012. Epidemiology, associated injuries, outcomes (including stroke and mortality), and the utility of standard screening criteria were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 1,182 cases of BCVI identified, yielding an incidence of 0.21%. Patients were predominately male (69%; mean age, 15 ± 5 years). Injuries were 59% carotid, 13% vertebral, and 28% unspecified, with 15% having bilateral or multivessel BCVI. Although younger patients (<11 years) had significantly lower ISS and decreased severe associated injuries (all p < 0.01), they had a similar mortality rate (10%) versus the older cohort. Additionally, the stroke rate was significantly higher among the younger patients versus their older peers (29% mortality for <11 years vs. 15% for ≥11 years, p < 0.01). Only four of seven commonly utilized risk factors were associated with BCVI overall, but none were significantly associated with BCVI in younger children (<11 years). CONCLUSION: This represents the first nationwide assessment of BCVI in the pediatric population. Pediatric BCVI carry considerable mortality and stroke risk. Despite being less severely injured, younger children (<11 years) had similar a mortality rate and a significantly higher stroke rate compared with older pediatric patients. Furthermore, commonly utilized adult screening criteria had limited utility in the younger cohorts. These findings suggest pediatric BCVI may require screening and treatment protocols that are significantly different than currently utilized adult-based programs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiological Study, level III.