Rotational vertebral artery occlusion associated with occipitoatlantal assimilation, atlantoaxial subluxation, and basilar impression

Abstract

Rotational vertebral artery (VA) occlusion, also known as bow unter’s stroke, is a rare form of vertebrobasilar ischemia elicited y head rotation, and it results from transient mechanical oblitration of the VA [1]. The VA at the C1–C2 junction is involved ost frequently, and hemodynamic compromise of the domiant VA is usually responsible for ischemic episodes [1]. Various athoanatomies of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) have been eported to be associatedwith rotational VA occlusion. Adult-onset otational VA occlusion associated with a CVJ anomaly, however, is ery rare. We describe a case of rotational VA occlusion associated ith occipitoatlantal assimilation, atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS), nd basilar impression.