Nakamura Shunsuke, Shinohara Natsuyo, Inoue Shigeaki
Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, JPN.
Cureus. 2025 Jun 14;17(6):e86006. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86006. eCollection 2025 Jun.
We hereby present a case of thrombus or possible vertebral artery dissection (VAD), but no confirmatory evidence in a young adult male, diagnosed using an unusual but pivotal imaging clue, the "dense vertebral artery sign" observed on non-contrast computed tomography (CT). This finding led to the initial suspicion and subsequent confirmation of VAD. This report underscores the diagnostic value of subtle vascular signs on plain CT imaging that are frequently overlooked but can result in prompt and life-saving intervention. This report is of particular significance in emergency settings, where advanced imaging modalities such as MRI and CT angiography may not be readily available.
我们在此报告一例年轻成年男性病例，该患者存在血栓或可能的椎动脉夹层（VAD），但尚无确诊证据，其诊断借助了一个不寻常但关键的影像学线索，即非增强计算机断层扫描（CT）上观察到的“椎动脉高密度征”。这一发现引发了对VAD的初步怀疑并随后得以确诊。本报告强调了普通CT成像上细微血管征象的诊断价值，这些征象常被忽视，但可促成及时且挽救生命的干预措施。本报告在急诊环境中具有特别重要的意义，因为在这种情况下，诸如MRI和CT血管造影等先进成像方式可能无法随时获取。
