Blunt carotid artery injury

Stroke prediction

Classification

Grade I

Luminal irregularity or dissection with < 25% luminal narrowing. 3% stroke risk.

Grade II

Dissection or intramural hematoma with ≥ luminal narrowing, intraluminal thrombus, or raised intimal flap. 11% stroke risk.

Grade III

Pseudoaneurysm. 33% stroke risk.

Grade IV

Occlusion. 44% stroke risk.

Grade V

Transection with free extravasation. 100% stroke risk.

Reference(s)

Biffl WL, Moore EE, Offner PJ, Brega KE, Franciose RJ, Burch JM. Blunt carotid arterial injuries: implications of a new grading scale. The Journal of trauma. 1999 Nov;47(5):845-53.