Vertebrobasilar injuries following cervical manipulation

Abstract

Four cases of brainstem stroke syndromes followed mechanical cervical manipulation; vascular injury was confirmed angiographically. A comprehensive review of the literature on vertebrobasilar injuries disclosed the various mechanisms of injury and pathogenesis of subsequent vascular complications following cervical manipulation. Emphasis is given to the potentially devastating neurological complications, particularly in view of the increasing utilization of chiropractic therapy.