Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia: Prevalence and Reliability of Identifying and Grading its Severity on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans

Peterson, Cynthia; Phillips, Lee; Linden, Ashleah; Hsu, William

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2010.01.012

Cited by 28 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(50 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Thus, comparison of data from different research groups is difficult if not impossible [12,26]. Results from two separate ultrasound protocols indicate that right-sided VAH is twice as more common than left-sided VAH [12,27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Results from two separate ultrasound protocols indicate that right-sided VAH is twice as more common than left-sided VAH [12,27]. As for the degree of hypoplasia, severe unilateral hypoplasia was detected in 5.3% of the total study population and in 12.3% of the hypoplastic subgroup in MRI scans of patients with cervical pain [26]. VAH has also been related to basilar artery hypoplasia or stenosis, which further increases the risk of posterior circulation hypoperfusion [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Is Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia a Predisposing Factor for Posterior Circulation Cerebral Ischemic Events? A Comprehensive Review

Katsanos

Kosmidou²,

Kyritsis³

et al. 2013

Eur Neurol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Vertebral artery hypoplasia is not currently considered an independent risk factor for stroke. Emerging evidence suggest that vertebral artery hypoplasia may contribute to posterior circulation ischemic events, especially when other risk factors coexist. In the present literature review, we present published data to discuss the relationship between a hypoplastic vertebral artery and posterior circulation cerebral ischemia. Despite difficulties and controversies in the accurate definition and prevalence estimation of vertebral artery hypoplasia, ultrasound studies reveal that the reduced blood flow observed ipsilateral to the hypoplastic vertebral artery may result in local cerebral hypoperfusion and subsequent focal neurological symptomatology. That risk of cerebral ischemia is related to the severity of the hypoplasia, suggesting that the smaller of paired arteries are more vulnerable to occlusion. Existing cohort studies further support clinical observations that hypoplastic vertebral artery enhances synergistically the vascular risk for posterior circulation ischemic events and is closely associated with both atherosclerotic and prothrombotic processes.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia a Predisposing Factor for Posterior Circulation Cerebral Ischemic Events? A Comprehensive Review

Katsanos

Kosmidou²,

Kyritsis³

et al. 2013

Eur Neurol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In one patient, the dissection was restricted to the V4 segment. It has previously been shown that hypoplastic VAs (HVAs) can be reliably diagnosed on cervical MRI by visual assessment, reflecting the clinical process [6] . Patients were visually classified as having either asymmetric VA (29 patients, 61.7%) or symmetric VA (18 patients, 38.3%).…”

Section: Imaging Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Presentation, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, Ultrasound Findings, and Stroke Patterns in Patients with Vertebral Artery Dissection

Günther¹,

Witte²,

Freesmeyer³

et al. 2016

Eur Neurol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background/Aims: Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is an important cause of ischemic stroke. In this observational study, clinical data, magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) imaging findings and ischemic patterns were analyzed. Methods: Forty-seven patients with a diagnosis of VAD underwent clinical examination, US, MR of the brain and neck and MR angiography (MRA) of the cervical arteries. Vascular abnormalities and ischemic brain lesions were noted. Data were evaluated separately and compared for spontaneous and traumatic VAD subgroups. Results: The most common overall clinical symptom was vertigo followed by neck pain. In the traumatic subgroup, vertigo was relatively rare (p = 0.022). Most common MRA findings were vessel irregularity and vessel occlusions. Ischemic lesions occurred significantly more frequently after spontaneous than after traumatic VAD (p = 0.009). Unilateral VAD was significantly more common in non-dominant vertebral arteries (p < 0.001). Mortality after trauma was not only due to VAD complications but also due to other trauma-related injuries. Conclusion: The variability of MR and US imaging findings in patients with VAD is illustrated. The algorithm of management should be based on a multimodality approach involving patient history and clinical neurological examination. Several types of vessel abnormalities and ischemic lesion in diverse locations may point to arterial dissection, and the differential diagnosis of VAD must be kept in mind.

show abstract

“…The VA is the main blood supply to the posterior part of the brain [12]. Structures supplied by the VA include the occipital lobe of the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the brain stem, and the upper spinal cord.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computed tomography-guided cervical selective transforaminal epidural block for a patient with bilateral anatomical variations of vertebral artery -a case report-

Jung

Lim

Park

et al. 2013

Korean J Anesthesiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A 56-year-old woman complained of radiating pain to the left arm. She was diagnosed with left-sided foraminal stenosis at the C5-6 level. The neurosurgeon requested a left C6 cervical selective transforaminal epidural block (CSTE). Cervical MRI showed a left-sided large tortuous vertebral artery (VA) at the C5-6 level. Before performing CSTE, a CT angiogram was carried out and showed bilateral tortuous VAs. To minimize adverse events, CSTE was performed with non-particulated steroids and under CT guidance. Following the procedure, the patient's symptoms were relieved completely. Although complication rates of CSTE are generally low, if it occurs, disastrous situation could be. Additionally, if the patient has anatomical variations, the possibility of a complication occurring is greatly increased. It is therefore important to determine whether the patient has any anatomical variations of the VA before performing procedures such as CSTE, and to ensure that needle placement is correct during the procedure and an appropriate drug, such as a non-particulated steroid, is selected.

show abstract

Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia: Prevalence and Reliability of Identifying and Grading its Severity on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans

Cited by 28 publications

References 19 publications

Is Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia a Predisposing Factor for Posterior Circulation Cerebral Ischemic Events? A Comprehensive Review

Is Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia a Predisposing Factor for Posterior Circulation Cerebral Ischemic Events? A Comprehensive Review

Clinical Presentation, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, Ultrasound Findings, and Stroke Patterns in Patients with Vertebral Artery Dissection

Computed tomography-guided cervical selective transforaminal epidural block for a patient with bilateral anatomical variations of vertebral artery -a case report-

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About