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Peripheral Vascular Neurologic Injuries

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Clinical Review of Vascular Trauma

Abstract

There are many aspects to consider when it comes to nerve injuries and repair. The mechanism of injury as well as the involved nerve results in a wide variety of choices in treatment from conservative to operative management and the type of procedure indicated. Sharp transection of the nerve is more amenable to repair and functional recovery compared to blunt trauma. Traction injury leading to significant stretch of the nerve can lead to a combination of neuropraxia and axonotmesis. While many of these injuries do not require operative management, functional recovery is often limited. Compression injury, such as from compartment syndrome, can lead to ischemic damage to the nerve that eventually leads to permanent disability. There is no substitute for an accurate, detailed history and physical examination when it comes to nerve injury. Knowledge of the anatomy and innervations for the affected nerve is important in localization of lesions. Electromyography can be helpful to determine the location of the lesion as well as progress of motor function over the recovery period. Post-injury follow-up and rehabilitation are important for recovery. Coordinating multisystem trauma that involves the nerves with a neurosurgeon can help optimize surgical planning and avoid unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Jessica R. Stark MD & Daniel H. Kim MD

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  1. Jessica R. Stark MD
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  2. Daniel H. Kim MD
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Correspondence to Jessica R. Stark MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery MSB 5.030, Center for Translational Injury Research, Houston, Texas, USA

    Anahita Dua

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Texas-Houston Duke University School of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    Sapan S. Desai

  3. Department of Surgery, University of Texas-Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

    John B. Holcomb

  4. Department of Orthopedics, University of Texas-Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

    Andrew R. Burgess

  5. Department of Surgery, John Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Julie Ann Freischlag

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Stark, J.R., Kim, D.H. (2014). Peripheral Vascular Neurologic Injuries. In: Dua, A., Desai, S., Holcomb, J., Burgess, A., Freischlag, J. (eds) Clinical Review of Vascular Trauma. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39100-2_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39100-2_25

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