Introduction Cranio-cervical trauma carries a high morbidity and mortality. Because of the vital structures and inaccessibility surgical treatment of these injuries is often high. Endovascular intervention lends itself to the treatment of vascular injuries. This in mind we reviewed our endovascular treatment of cranio-cervical injuries over a 1-year period.

Methods Between September 15, 2008 and September 14, 2009 we reviewed the patients we had been asked to treat endovasculary by the trauma surgeons or who had been referred directly to our neurosurgical unit. The demographic profile and the mode of injury was reviewed and the vascular injury was anatomically and pathologically assessed using the DSA. Next the specific treatment for the different vascular injuries was reviewed.

Results We identified 22 patients 64% sustaining penetrating injuries and 36% from blunt trauma. 50% of the injuries were false aneurysms, 36% CCFs, 9% were AVFs and 5% were dissections. Treatment used balloons, glue or coils depending on the injury. There was one asymptomatic complication.

Conclusions Endovascular treatment offers a viable safe and often better alternative to surgical injuries to cranio-cervical injuries.