'Vertebral Artery Dissection' caused Phillip Hughes' death, says Australian team doctor

Australian team doctor Peter Bruckner has revealed that Phillip Hughes' condition was an incredibly rare one that engendered a hemorrhage in the brain due to the injury to the neck.

According to Bruckner, Hughes suffered a condition named as 'Vertebral Artery Dissection', a rare condition with about 100 ever reported cases. Doctor Tony Grabs of St Vincent's Hospital has termed the injury as 'catastrophic', News.com.au reported.

An arterial dissection is a tear in the lining of an artery. When that tear happens in a major artery in the head and neck, it can seal off blood flow to the brain.

Hughes succumbed to injuries he endured when he was struck by a bouncer at the SCG on Tuesday. The 25-year-old South Australian batsman, who was pushing for a Test recall against India in Brisbane next week, was knocked out after the ball made impact under his helmet, behind his left ear.