Airbag Associated Bilateral Internal Carotid Artery Dissection with Hyperdense Middle Cerebral Artery Sign - A Case Report

Although an uncommon injury, bilateral dissection of the internal carotid arteries can have devastating consequences. Awareness and diagnosis has risen since it was described in 1967 by Yamada et al. However, given the vague presentation and difficulty in diagnosis, it is important to identify all associated signs and symptoms. We present a previously unreported finding of bilateral hyperdense middle cerebral arteries in the absence of previously described contributing factors. Knowledge of this highly specific sign in patients involved in airbag-associated motor vehicle accidents can contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of such patients.