Bilateral Vertebral Artery Research Articles

Developed Circuminfundibular Anastomosis Associated with Vascular Abnormalities

We report a 74-year-old male patient who presented with left hemiplegia and disturbance of consciousness. Computed tomography revealed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was prominent in the right Sylvian and basal cisterns. Digital subtraction angiography revealed absence of the C2 segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) and a significantly developed circuminfundibular anastomosis. Occlusion of the bilateral vertebral arteries (VAs) was also seen. The upper basilar artery was supplied by the circuminfundibular anastomosis and collaterals from the VAs. Since the source of bleeding was unclear, the patient was treated conservatively. Circuminfundibular anastomosis is a potential anastomosis around the pituitary stalk. It is formed by the superior hypophyseal arteries, prechiasmal arteries, and infundibular arteries bilaterally. Agenesis of the contralateral ICA often leads to development of ICA-ICA anastomoses. In this case, the anastomosis developed due to agenesis of the C2 segment of the right ICA and occlusion of the bilateral VAs.

Unilateral Upper Cervical Posterior Spinal Cord Infarction Caused by Spontaneous Bilateral Vertebral Artery Dissection.

A 41-year-old woman complained of sudden numbness of the left face and limbs without neck pain, paraparesis, urinary retention, or constipation. Neurologic examination revealed onion-skin pattern hemifacial dysesthesia and disturbance of touch and proprioception sensation of the left limbs. T2WI and Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) showed left posterior spinal cord infarction at the C1 level (Figure, A–D). Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) demonstrated stenosis of bilateral vertebral arteries (Figure, E–F). High-resolution MRI revealed the high signals of intramural hematoma in bilateral vertebral arteries indicating the diagnosis of dissection (Figure, G-J). Isolated posterior spinal cord infarction is rare, and vertebral artery dissection should be considered as an etiologic mechanism.1

Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity Modulation and Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture for Posterior Circulation Infarction Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Vertigo is a cardinal symptom of posterior circulation infarction (POCI). Acupuncture is demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on posterior circulation infarction vertigo (PCIV). However, the mechanism of acupuncture therapy is not clarified. This study aims to assess the cerebral blood flow velocity modulation and clinical efficacy of acupuncture for PCIV patients. Methods We conducted this systematic review for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture on PCIV. The study duration was from September 2020 to September 2021. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP. The publication date was set from inception to August 31, 2020. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two researchers independently screened literature and extracted data including basic study information, intervention details, outcome details, and adverse events. Outcome measures included the blood flow velocities of vertebrobasilar arteries and the Clinical Effective Rate of posterior circulation infarction vertigo. Pooled data were presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and relative risks (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager software version 5.3.0. Results A total of 20 eligible RCTs (1541 participants) were included in this review, which compared acupuncture therapy (1 RCT) or acupuncture combined with pharmaceutical therapy (19 RCTs) to pharmaceutical therapy in patients with posterior circulation infarction vertigo. 7 studies assessed the blood flow velocities of the basilar artery examined by Transcranial Doppler (TCD), 8 studies assessed the bilateral vertebral arteries, and 13 studies evaluated the Clinical Effective Rate of posterior circulation infarction vertigo. Meta-analysis results showed that blood flow velocities of the basilar artery (SMD = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.40–0.76; P < 0.05), left vertebral artery (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.22–0.73; P < 0.05), and right vertebral artery (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.19–0.69; P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. Clinical Effective Rate (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.15–1.29; P = 0.792) was significantly better in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. Conclusions This study shows that acupuncture therapy is useful in improving the blood flow velocity of vertebrobasilar arteries and Clinical Effective Rate in patients with posterior circulation infarction vertigo. However, double-blind, sham-controlled trials with large sample sizes are required to support our conclusions.

Comparison of the clinical value of transcranial Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography angiography for diagnosing ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical value of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound and computed tomography angiography (CTA) for diagnosing ischemic cerebrovascular disease.MethodsA retrospective clinical study was conducted in 142 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease who were initially diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography. Under the single-blind condition, the patients were diagnosed by using TCD ultrasound and CTA independently. The accuracy of these two methods was compared.ResultsThe accuracy of diagnosing bilateral middle cerebral artery, bilateral vertebral artery and bilateral internal carotid artery lesions with a TCD examination was significantly higher than that with a CTA examination. There were no significant differences in the accuracy of diagnosing bilateral anterior cerebral artery, bilateral posterior cerebral artery or basilar artery lesions between TCD ultrasound and CTA. The accuracy of diagnosing all cerebral arterial ischemic lesions was significantly higher with a TCD examination (87.39%) than with a CTA examination (69.75%). The accuracy of diagnosing all cerebral arteries that cause ischemic encephalopathy (cerebrovascular + cervical blood vessels) was significantly higher with a TCD examination (88.03%) than with a CTA examination (69.01%).ConclusionsTCD ultrasound has several advantages over CTA. Therefore, TCD ultrasound is better for diagnosing ischemic encephalopathy than CTA.

P.116 Not everything is what it seems, look closer, think deeper: granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare disease of unknown cause. The multitude of manifestations presents significant diagnostic challenges. This is a unique case of GPA with sinonasal, airway, skull base, petrous bones, vascular, and brain parenchyma involvement. Methods: We present a case of a 45-year-old female with a several day history of headache and left hearing loss. MRI brain demonstrated a large erosive enhancing soft process in the sinonasal cavity and nasopharynx. Results: She developed new ipsilateral rightward tongue deviation. A second MRI demonstrated disease progression. It showed posterior pharyngeal wall ulceration, involvement of the skull base foramina, petrous bones, and central bony skull erosion. It demonstrated right hemiglossal edema secondary to right hypoglossal nerve compression at the skull base. There was enhancing soft tissue partially encasing the left petrous internal carotid artery and more extensively encasing and narrowing bilateral intradural vertebral arteries with associated brainstem edema secondary to direct mass effect and new left occipital thromboembolic infarct. She underwent a nasopharyngeal biopsy which demonstrated acute inflammation on a background of GPA. Conclusions: There are no pathognomonic imaging characteristics for GPA. By recognizing the common and less-common imaging features, radiologists play a crucial role in both diagnosing and monitoring the disease activity.

Endovascular Intervention in a Narrowing Vessel of the Left Vertebral Artery with Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion and Aneurysm Rupture and Hemorrhage in the V4 Segment of the Right Vertebral Artery.

In this study, a case of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and aneurysm in the V4 segment of the right vertebral artery with constriction of the left vertebral artery is presented. By improving digital subtraction angiography, an elderly female patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) was diagnosed with a V4 segment of right vertebral artery aneurysm, a microaneurysm at the beginning of basilar aneurysms, bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, and narrowing vessel of left vertebral artery (DSA). Through the compensation of the basilar artery, the bilateral vertebral arteries provide intracranial and extracranial blood. Because the vertebral artery is narrowed, the right vertebral artery has priority in intracranial and extracranial blood delivery. Many members of the patient's immediate family have vasculitis, which has yet to be proven by appropriate laboratory testing but is thought to be the major cause of big artery occlusion. After cerebral angiography, the major source of this subarachnoid haemorrhage was determined to be a V4 segment of right vertebral artery aneurysm. Endovascular stent-assisted coil embolization was used to treat a V4 section of the right vertebral artery aneurysm. Because the basilar aneurysm was distal to the artery, interventional embolization was difficult to do, and it was not the major cause of the subarachnoid haemorrhage, the patient was advised to have follow-up surveillance, and she recovered well following the procedure. The combination of endovascular intervention of bilateral common carotid artery blockage and V4 segment of right vertebral artery aneurysm yielded excellent clinical outcomes in this instance. Endovascular treatment of a bilateral common carotid artery blockage paired with a V4 segment of a right vertebral artery aneurysm yielded excellent clinical outcomes in this patient, although long-term follow-up is necessary.

Radiological anatomy of the vertebrobasilar artery in a select South African population

IntroductionThe vertebrobasilar artery is the combination of the bilateral vertebral artery and the basilar artery. The basilar artery extends from the confluence of the bilateral vertebral arteries at the pontomedullary junction, terminating at the ponto-mesencephalic junction. Depending on the geometry of the intracranial vertebral arteries and the incidence of arterial tortuosity, the basilar artery may exhibit variable course patterns. This morphologic deformation has negative implications on the hemodynamic of blood flow in the posterior circulatory territory by inducing the development of infarcts and thus increasing the risk of vascular pathologies. Lateral displacement of the basilar artery has been associated with migraines and frequent headaches. The present study aimed to investigate the radiological anatomy of the basilar artery within a select South African cohort of patients in terms of the course patterns and morphometry. Materials and methodThe study is an observational retrospective chart review of 100 radiographic images (Average age: 59; Males: 60%; Females: 40%) of multidetector computed tomography angiography, of the vertebrobasilar artery to establish the course pattern of the basilar artery. ResultsAsymmetry of the intracranial vertebral artery as well as lateral displacement of the basilar artery have been reported with varying course patterns. The average length and diameter of the basilar artery were reported as 25.41 ± 6.44 mm 2.72 ± 0.85 mm, respectively. ConclusionThe geometric characteristics of the vertebrobasilar system in the population studied can predispose to some cerebrovascular diseases in the posterior circulatory territory and influence the build-up of atherosclerotic plaque. Knowledge of this variant anatomy is imperative to the clinician in the diagnosis of many vascular-related pathologies.

Vertebral Artery Transposition and Dural Ring Reconstruction: A New Treatment Modality for Cervical Spinal Cord Compression Resulting From Aberrant Vertebral Arteries.

Two of three patients who were consecutively treated within the past 7 years using traditional methods in our center presented with recurrence and even aggravation during follow-up. Therefore, a new approach was developed to treat a recent patient to provide for complete decompression of the spinal cord. To illustrate a new treatment modality for patients with cervical spinal cord compression resulting from aberrant vertebral arteries. The aberrant vertebral arteries were freed after substantial dissection of their dural rings. The compression was released after moving the aberrant vertebral arteries, which were sutured to the lateral mass to the extradural space. New dural rings above the atlas were created to allow the vertebral artery to enter the dura mater into a wider subdural space. The patient experienced full relief from her initial complaints except for mild numbness of the bilateral lower extremities immediately after surgery. Postoperative imaging studies indicated successful transposition of bilateral aberrant vertebral arteries and significant decompression of the spinal cord. Her symptoms did not recur over a 6-month follow-up period. Imaging studies at the 6-month follow-up showed stable vertebral artery transposition and spinal cord decompression. A patient with cervical spinal cord compression resulting from aberrant vertebral arteries was successfully treated by our new technique, which includes vertebral artery transposition, fixation, and dural ring reconstruction. Our approach could be an alternative for durable spinal cord decompression in such patients.

Cerebral blood flow dependency on systemic arterial circulation in progressive multiple sclerosis.

To determine the relationship between systemic arterial blood flow (SABF) and cerebral perfusion measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Cerebral perfusion and SABF were assessed in 118 patients (75 clinically isolated syndrome (CIS)/relapsing-remitting MS and 43 progressive MS) through MRI examination with dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) and Doppler ultrasound, respectively. Measures of mean transit time (MTT) and time-to-peak (TTP), measured in seconds, of the normal-appearing whole brain (NAWB) and gray matter (GM) were calculated. Blood flow through the bilateral common carotid and vertebral arteries (in mL/min) represents the SABF. Whole brain volume (WBV) and body mass index (BMI) were used as additional covariates. Higher systolic blood pressure was associated with lower SABF (-0.256, p = 0.006). In the total MS sample, higher SABF was associated with shorter MTT and TTP of the NAWB (r = -0.256, p = 0.007 and r = -0.307, p = 0.001) and GM (r = -0.239, p = 0.012 and r = -0.3, p = 0.001). The SABF and TTP associations were driven by the PMS patients (r = -0.451, p = 0.004 and r = -0.451, p = 0.011). Only in PMS, SABF remained a significant predictor of NAWB (standardized β = -0.394, p = 0.022) and GM TTP (standardized β = -0.351, p = 0.037). MTT and TTP were significantly lower in patients within lower SABF quartiles when compared to the higher quartiles (age-, sex-, BMI-, and WBV-adjusted ANCOVA p < 0.025). The direct relationship between systemic and cerebral blood flow seen in PMS patients may suggest failure in cerebrovascular reactivity mechanisms and insufficient perfusion control. Cerebral blood flow in PMS may be increasingly dependent on the SABF. • In progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, the systemic arterial blood flow (SABF) is associated with perfusion-based measure of time-to-peak (TTP) of the normal-appearing whole brain (r = -0.451, p = 0.004) and gray matter (r = -0.451, p = 0.004). • Cerebral blood flow in progressive MS is directly dependent on systemic arterial blood flow and may be influenced by blood pressure changes. • Neurovascular unit impairment may play an important role in MS pathophysiology and contribute towards greater clinical disability.

Bilateral vertebral arteries arising distal to the left subclavian artery: embryological and anatomical description.

Abnormalities in the origin of vertebral arteries are relatively uncommon, but extremely rare when this abnormality happens on both sides. We present an anatomic variation in which both vertebral arteries came from the proximal descending thoracic aorta beyond the left subclavian artery with no other supra-aortic vessels accompanying the abnormality. The right vertebral artery took a retro-oesophageal course (lusoria artery), while the right and the left vertebral arteries enter the transverse foramina at the 7th cervical vertebra. From an embryological point of view, and overall controversial, this anomaly can be explained by the bilateral persistence of the 8th intersegmental artery as the origin of vertebral artery, instead of the dorsal segment of the 7th intersegmental artery being the origin, which is normally the case. The adequate identification of vertebral artery anomalies in complementary explorations is very important to avoid misdiagnosed vertebral occlusions or unexpected vertebral artery injuries during supra-aortic trunks, thyroid, and oesophagus open surgeries, among others, or even over the course of endovascular procedures.

Carotid Intima-media Thickness/Diameter Ratio and Peak Systolic Velocity as Risk Factors for Neurological Severe Ischemic Events in Takayasu Arteritis

To characterize Takayasu arteritis (TA) with supra-aortic involvement and determine the associations between clinical features, carotid ultrasonographic (US) variables, and neurological severe ischemic events (SIEs). Patients with supra-aortic involvement including brachiocephalic trunk, bilateral common carotid artery and internal carotid artery, and bilateral subclavian and vertebral artery and baseline carotid US examination were enrolled from the East China TA cohort. Bilateral carotid diameter, intima-media thickness (IMT), and peak systolic velocity (PSV) were measured by US. Then, the IMT/diameter ratio (IDR) was calculated. Risk factors associated with neurological SIEs were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. In total, 295 patients were included, of whom 260 (88.14%) were female, and 93 (31.53%) experienced neurological SIEs. Involved supra-aortic artery distribution (P = 0.04) and number (P < 0.01) differed between subjects with neurologic and nonneurologic SIEs, showing higher prevalence of common carotid and vertebral artery involvement after Bonferroni correction and 56.99% patients having ≥ 4 involved arteries in the neurological SIE group. The bilateral IDR (P < 0.01) differed between patients with and without neurological SIEs. The carotid IDR (left: cut-off value ≥ 0.55, OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.24-6.07, P = 0.01; right: ≥ 0.58, OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.21-6.02, P = 0.01) and left carotid PSV (≤ 76.00 cm/s, OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.53-6.27, P < 0.01), as well as involved supra-aortic artery number (≥ 4, OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.15-4.72, P = 0.02) were independently associated with neurological SIEs. The carotid IDR and PSV might be performed as valuable markers for recognizing neurological SIEs in patients with TA with supra-aortic lesions.

Low-dose three-dimensional CT angiography for the evaluation of posterolateral protrusion of the vertebral artery over the posterior arch of the atlas: a quantitative anatomical comparison study of the rotational and neutral positions

To investigate the changes in relevant anatomical parameters of posterolateral protrusion of the vertebral artery (VA) between head-neck rotational and neutral positions using low-dose three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). Low-dose 3D-CTA images obtained for various craniocervical diseases in 36 non-dominant VA side patients with neutral, left and right head-neck rotational positions were evaluated. The relevant parameters from superior and inferior views, including external diameter (ED), internal diameter (ID), transverse diameter (TD), heights and diameters of posterolateral protrusion of the VA over the posterior arch of the atlas in the neutral and rotational positions, were recorded and compared. There was no significant differences in the rotational angle (left/right: 31.23±6.60/29.94±6.09°, p>0.05). There were no significant differences in heights and diameters of bilateral VA between rotational and neutral positions (all p>0.05). The contralateral ID, ED, and TD of the rotational positions were significantly shorter than those of the neutral position (all p<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the three ipsilateral diameters (all p>0.05). Posterolateral protrusion of the VA is not uncommon in the population, and surgeons should be aware of its presence, especially the increased possibility of injury to the VA caused by head-neck rotation, during the operation; thus, preoperative evaluation by low-dose 3D-CTA should be considered.

Reversal of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Hyperintensities of the Pons after Endovascular Reperfusion for Proximal Extracranial Vertebral Artery Occlusion

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) hyperintensities corresponding to ischemic areas have been regarded as an ischemic core. However, several studies have demonstrated the reversibility of DWI hyperintense signals in hyperacute stroke patients. We experienced the DWI reversibility of posterior circulation ischemia after revascularization of the proximal extracranial vertebral artery. The perfusion of the posterior circulation might be significantly reduced due to bilateral vertebral art ery occlusion. Considering this case, early improvement of the perfusion of the ischemic area might key role of DWI reversibility.

Aberrant origin of bilateral vertebral arteries associated with bovine aortic arch.

Variance of aortic arch branches are clinically significant as they are encountered in multiple endovascular treatments. The knowledge of different variants is crucial to perform successful vascular interventions. We report a novel anatomical variant of aortic arch found on contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan during a workup of cervical lymphadenopathy. The CT neck revealed a bovine aortic arch with an aberrant origin of bilateral vertebral arteries from the aortic arch. The right vertebral artery arose between the bovine trunk and the left subclavian artery, while the left vertebral artery was present distal to the left subclavian artery. This article sheds light on the potential clinical significance of these various types of aortic arch branches. Knowing the exact type of variant is particularly important in patient undergoing management involving carotid and surrounding vessels.

Stroke in Takayasu arteritis with concomitant tuberculosis: an unusual pediatric case report

BackgroundStroke is a lethal complication of polyarteritis in children. Takayasu arteritis is a rare disease with an unknown etiology and is known to mainly affect young women. In this report, we present the case of a Chinese boy diagnosed with TA results in stroke, originally presenting in the context of latent tuberculosis infection and then developing active tuberculosis.Case presentationThe patient was a 14-year-old child who developed a latent tuberculosis infection at age 5 after coming in close contact with his grandfather, who had tuberculosis. However, he did not receive any anti-tuberculosis medications at that time. At age 9, he was hospitalized for symptoms of "dizziness and headache" and was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis and hypertension; however, tuberculosis was not diagnosed. Only antihypertensive drugs were administered without considering the possible pathogenic factors of tuberculosis infection. At age 14, he was rehospitalized for "fever and cough" and was diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis as an analysis of his fiberoptic bronchoscopy sample using the Gene-Xpert assay was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, after 2 months of taking oral anti-tuberculosis drugs, his blood pressure continued to rise, and he presented with numbness and weakness of the right limb and a deviation of the right side of his mouth. Computed tomography angiography of his head and neck revealed that the walls of the left subclavian artery and bilateral vertebral arteries were thickened, and the lumen was significantly narrowed. In a recent examination, magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging of the head showed infarctions in the right basal ganglia area close to the left lateral ventricle. Our patient was treated with methotrexate, tocilizumab and glucocorticoids to control he continued active vasculitis.ConclusionsThe possible association of tuberculosis and Takayasu arteritis complicated by stroke needs to be considered, especially in children who had prior contact with a family member with tuberculosis infection. The temporal relationship between TA and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in our patient suggests a compelling link that demands further investigation.

The value of color Doppler sonography in diagnosis and hemodynamic analysis of innominate artery occlusion

The occlusion of the innominate artery caused a significant decrease in the distal end of the right subclavian artery and the right common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, and external carotid artery (ECA). Due to the different pressure and the abundant communicating arteries between the ECA and the bilateral vertebral artery (VA), different paths of blood steal in the anterior and posterior circulation occurred.

A Case of Bilateral Vertebral Artery Dissection with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Diagnosed by Vessel Wall Imaging

A Case of Bilateral Vertebral Artery Dissection with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Diagnosed by Vessel Wall Imaging

Bilateral vertebral artery dissection after hair washing in a young woman

Bilateral vertebral artery dissection after hair washing in a young woman

Bilateral vertebral artery atherosclerotic occlusion with acute bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as a prodromal symptom: A case report

Bilateral vertebral artery atherosclerotic occlusion with acute bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as a prodromal symptom: A case report

Orthostatic hemodynamics in the vertebral artery and blood pressure in patients with orthostatic dizziness/vertigo

ObjectivesOrthostatic dizziness/vertigo (ODV) is a common symptom and is believed to occur due to the cerebral hypoperfusion caused by orthostatic hypotension (OH). However, the detailed mechanism underlying ODV onset is poorly understood. The vertebral artery (VA) mainly supplies blood to the central vestibular system; therefore, the orthostatic decrease of VA blood flow could possibly lead to ODV. This study investigated the orthostatic blood pressure and VA hemodynamics in ODV patients to elucidate the hemodynamic mechanism underlying ODV onset. Furthermore, the influence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) on VA hemodynamics was examined because OH is probably the most common cause of ODV. MethodsThis study included 181 patients with ODV and 73 control patients without ODV. All subjects underwent an active standing test to measure the extracranial Doppler (ECD) sonography spectrum of the VA and blood pressure (BP). VA blood flow velocity and BP were simultaneously measured for each patient in the supine static position and then in the upright standing positions following 3 min of standing. We investigated the orthostatic change in the average of flow velocity in bilateral VAs (VAFV) and BP for ODV patients compared with the control patients. ResultVAFV in ODV patients was significantly reduced when standing up compared with the control patients. In the ODV patients, there was no difference in orthostatic decrease in VAFV between patients those with OH and without OH. However, the VAFV in the standing position was significantly lower in patients with OH than without OH. In cases with OH, the ODV patients exhibited a greater decrease in VAFV compared with the control patients, but this was not statistically significant. In the absence of OH, a significantly greater orthostatic decrease in VAFV was observed in ODV patients compared with the controls. ConclusionOur findings suggest that the orthostatic decrease of VA blood flow is deeply involved in the hemodynamic mechanism underlying ODV onset and is possibly associated with OH and other etiologies.