Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke as Amusement Park Injury: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Strokes as amusement park injuries are rare, but have been reported in the literature. Only about 20 cases of cerebrovascular accidents after amusement park visits have been described. We report a healthy 12-year-old boy who presented with facial droop, slurred speech, and inability to use his right arm after riding roller coasters at a local amusement park. He was evaluated and found to have a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and has recovered with no major residual symptoms. It is likely that his neurological symptoms occurred due to the high head accelerations experienced on the roller coasters, which are more detrimental to children due to immature cervical spine development and muscle strength. Early diagnosis of dissection and stroke results in a favorable prognosis. Providers and parents should be aware of the potential risk of roller coasters and act quickly on neurologic changes in children that have recently been to an amusement park.

Pediatric Stroke: A Review of Common Etiologies and Management Strategies

“…Many of the head and neck injuries that precede dissections are mechanical or penetrating [56]. However, whiplash injuries are another mechanism by which dissections can occur-there have been some reports of strokes in children after amusement park rides [60]. Additionally, while adult dissections are nearly all traumatic in nature, there is in children a substantial incidence of spontaneous dissections without preceding trauma [58].…”

Cerebellar Stroke in a Young Adult Following an Amusement Park Ride

“…Several cases of patients who experience acute ischemic stroke after rollercoaster or amusement park rides have been described in the literature with varying etiologies, including carotid compression, immature cervical spine development, and vertebral artery dissection [13][14][15]. However, fewer than 20 cases of cerebrovascular accidents following such acceleration-based amusement park rides have been reported.…”