Clinical analysis of cerebellar infarction with vertebral artery hypoplasia

Abstract

Objective To summarize the clinical features and vascular lesions in patients who suffered from cerebellar infarction with vertebral artery hypoplasia(VAH). Methods Retrospective analysis was used in the research. The selected patients suffered from cerebellar infarction with VAH or stenosis (stenosis rate ≥ 50%). Seventy-one patients with cerebellar infarction were enrolled. There were 34 patients in VAH group and 37 patients in vertebral artery stenosis group. The age, sex, risk factors, clinical manifestations and characteristics of vascular examination were compared. Results The age, sex, risk factors between two groups had no significant differences (P >0.05). The scores of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) between two groups had no significant difference (P >0.05). The proportion of early neurological deterioration in VAH group (41.2%, 14/34) was higher than that in vertebral artery stenosis group (18.9%, 7/37), χ2 = 4.21, P <0.05. There were more patients with anterior circulation artery stenosis in the VAH group (35.3%, 12/34), compared with that in artery stenosis group (13.5%, 5/37), χ2 = 4.62, P <0.05. Except the ipsilateral vertebral artery, other arteries stenosis in VAH group (44.1%, 15/34) was significantly higher than that in vertebral artery stenosis group (13.5%, 5/37), χ2 = 8.20, P <0.05. Conclusions Cerebellar infarction with vertebral artery hypoplasia is more likely to have multiple cerebral arterial stenosis (stenosis rate ≥ 50%). The patients who suffered from cerebellar infarction with vertebral artery hypoplasia might be prone to early neurological deterioration. Key words: Vertebral artery hypoplasia; Cerebral infarction; Cerebellum