Perivascular sympathectomy of the vertebral artery and its effect on the cervicovestibular syndrome.

Abstract

Forty-three cases of cervicovestibular syndrome were treated by perivascular sympathectomy at the proximal part of the vertebral artery. These cases were divided into P (peripheral) and C (central) groups by the positioning nystagmus test (Dix and Hallpike 1952) and self-recording cupulometry (Hozawa and Sasaki 1968). Group P could be cured of vertiginous attacks by operating on the affected side. However, in group C a sympathectomy of both sides was required to prevent recurrence of the attacks. From the results and findings of this operation, it was thought that the vasomotor reflex had a close connection with the vertiginous attacks and that the effectiveness of this operation was due to the blocking of the efferent impulses which caused the vasospasms.