Unilateral and Bilateral Vertebral Artery Dissection Following Motor Vehicle Injury—Two Cases and a Mini-Review

Vertebral artery dissection in two patients with traumatic brain and cervical spine injury was treated in the intensive care unit. In both cases vertebral artery dissection was suspected solely by the presence of ischemic lesions on the cervical spine and by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, performed because of a failure to recover consciousness. In the intensive care unit patients with head and neck trauma, symptoms of posterior circulation ischemia due to traumatic vertebral artery dissection, often overlap with those with traumatic brain injury. A high level of suspicion for vertebral artery dissection has to be maintained in order to prompt further investigation in to these cases.     

Coarctation of the aorta and Fallot's tetralogy. Apropos of 2 cases

Two cases of the association of Fallot's tetralogy and coarctation of the aorta are reported. In both cases there was a right aortic arch. In addition, the second case had a cervical aorta and a left subclavian artery isolated from the aorta and vascularised by the left vertebral artery. The two children underwent complete repair: the first patient had a Waterston shunt followed by repair of the Fallot's tetralogy, followed by repair of the coarctation; the second patient first had a Gore-tex tube inserted from the ascending to the descending aorta and then underwent repair of the Fallot's tetralogy. The association of a coarctation with an obstructive lesion of the right heart is very rare; only two cases have previously been reported: one Fallot's tetralogy and one tricuspid atresia with pulmonary stenosis. Both cases also had a right aortic arch. This seems to go against the haemodynamic theory of coarctation: blood flow in the ascending aorta increases while flow in the pulmonary artery decreases. Coarctation could be caused by a partial involution of the terminal segment of the right primitive dorsal aorta as proposed in cases of coarctation with a right sided aortic arch. The second case also presented two uncommon features: a cervical aortic arch and a left subclavian artery isolated from the aorta.     

Positional occlusion of the vertebral artery in a case of rheumatoid atlantoaxial subluxation presenting with multiple cerebral and cerebellar infarction

We report an uncommon case of positional occlusion of the vertebral artery associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Plain radiography showed reducible atlantoaxial subluxation, and dynamic vertebral arteriography demonstrated positional occlusion of the left vertebral artery. The patient was treated with C1-2 posterior fusion and has since experienced no recurrent symptoms. Insufficiency of the vertebrobasilar artery is a relatively uncommon complication with cervical lesions in RA patients. However, when RA patients manifest recurrent cerebral and cerebellar symptoms, this condition should be kept in mind and actions taken to avoid further irreversible cerebral damage. Recommended imaging methods include vertebral dynamic lateral plain radiography of the cervical spine and vertebral arteriography at multiple cervical positions.     

经局部动脉内溶栓治疗急性脑梗死

目的　研究经血管内选择性溶栓治疗 49例 8h内发病的急性脑梗死患者 ,以评估动脉内溶栓治疗急性脑梗死的疗效。方法　患者均急诊行头颅CT检查 ,31例经股动脉插管 ,全脑血管造影确认脑梗死 ,再选择性将导管插入患侧颈内动脉和椎动脉并注入尿激酶 5 0～ 75万单位行接触性和区域性溶栓治疗。对照组 18例行常规治疗。结果　溶栓后血管再通率为 71% ,有效率为 83%。 2 3例颈内动脉系和 4例椎基动脉系梗死在溶栓后 2周内神经损害体征明显改善 ,2例死亡。溶栓组改良爱丁堡 斯堪的纳维亚脑卒中量表 (MESSS)评分改善 (2 1.6± 13.6 )分 ;对照组改善 (5 .9± 5 .3)分。溶栓组发病时间越短其疗效越好。结论　选择性动脉内溶栓治疗是一种治疗急性脑梗死的有效方法 ,具有较高的血管再通率     

Positional occlusion of the vertebral artery in a case of rheumatoid atlantoaxial subluxation presenting with multiple cerebral and cerebellar infarction

Abstract

We report an uncommon case of positional occlusion of the vertebral artery associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Plain radiography showed reducible atlantoaxial subluxation, and dynamic vertebral arteriography demonstrated positional occlusion of the left vertebral artery. The patient was treated with C1-2 posterior fusion and has since experienced no recurrent symptoms. Insufficiency of the vertebrobasilar artery is a relatively uncommon complication with cervical lesions in RA patients. However, when RA patients manifest recurrent cerebral and cerebellar symptoms, this condition should be kept in mind and actions taken to avoid further irreversible cerebral damage. Recommended imaging methods include vertebral dynamic lateral plain radiography of the cervical spine and vertebral arteriography at multiple cervical positions.     

Neck pain in the elderly: a management review. Part II

Rheumatoid arthritis and metastatic cancer occur commonly in the elderly, and may cause neck pain. Rheumatoid arthritis may produce cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy resulting from vertebral body subluxation, although radiological manifestations of subluxation are much more common than neurological dysfunction. Cervical spinal cord compression is a neurological emergency and may produce cervical radiculopathy as well as myelopathy. Careful neurological and radiological assessments are required to minimize pain and preserve neurological function in elderly patients suffering from neck pain complicating rheumatoid arthritis or cervical spinal metastasis.     

多层螺旋CT血管造影对后循环缺血的诊断价值

目的探讨多层螺旋CT血管造影(MSCTA)诊断后循环缺血的价值。方法对155例后循环缺血患者MRA确诊后7 d内行头颈部MSCTA检查,其中15例同时行数字减影血管造影(DSA)检查。结果 155例中95例共发现血管狭窄99处,狭窄位置清晰可见。发现血管狭窄系颈椎增生压迫所致4例,椎动脉血管变异所致3例;56例右侧椎动脉较对侧明显变细,呈明显左优势动脉(其中12例伴有一支椎动脉或基底动脉狭窄)。与DSA检查结果比较,CTA对诊断血管狭窄的灵敏度为94.73%,特异度为100%,Kappa值为93.0%。结论 MSCTA对后循环缺血、椎基底动脉狭窄病变具有重要的诊断价值。     

Indications for revascularization of the distal cervical vertebral artery

Since the development of the technique of revascularizing the vertebral artery in its transversal and suboccipital portions, 22 revascularisation procedures of the distal vertebral artery (above C2) have been carried out in 21 patients. The earliest cases have been followed up for more than 4 years and the technique has proved to be reliable, both from the clinical and anatomical points of view. The indications were based on restoration of the vertebral axis compromised by major lesions (stenosis: 2 cases, occlusion: 14 cases) of both vertebral arteries (13 cases) or of the dominant vertebral artery in symptomatic patients (3 cases). Surgery was also offered to preserve a vascular axis which had to be sacrificed for the treatment of potentially embolic disease (aneurysm or dissection: 3 cases) or hypervascular lesions (arteriovenous malformation, tumour: 2 cases). However, the indications for distal cervical vertebral artery revascularization should be carefully considered as it is impossible to evaluate the long-term tolerance of major vertebral arterial lesions.     

A truncated ultrasound screening procedure for atheroma of the cervical arteries in asymptomatic diabetic patients: Evidence from a retrospective study

AIM: To demonstrate that ultrasound screening of diabetic patients presenting with no cerebrovascular symptoms for evaluation of atheroma of the cervical arteries can be limited to the carotid arteries. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the results of cervical artery ultrasound imaging of diabetic patients with no cerebrovascular symptoms. This diabetic population was divided into two subpopulations according to whether or not the vertebral and subclavian artery findings were normal or abnormal. RESULTS: Of the 760 patients who fulfilled the criteria for study inclusion, the ultrasound imaging findings of the vertebral and subclavian arteries were normal in 712 cases. Review of the files of the 48 remaining patients showed that findings for either the vertebral or subclavian arteries did not lead to any changes in patient management because of associated risk factors, carotid atheroma or peripheral arterial disease. CONCLUSION: A vascular risk evaluation in diabetic patients could include ultrasound imaging assessment for cervical artery atheroma and our data suggest that such an evaluation could be focused solely on the carotid arteries.     

Vertebral artery dissection following intravascular catheter placement: a case report and review of the literature

Vertebral artery dissections (VAD) are known to occur as a result of mechanical manipulations of the cervical region, traumatic injury, iatrogenic injury and are also known to arise spontaneously. We report a case of vertebral artery dissection following vertebral artery cannulation during a central line placement and review the literature. The patient underwent intravascular catheter placement that subsequently demonstrated arterial blood. Duplex ultrasound and computed tomographic (CT) scan confirmed vertebral artery cannulation. The catheter was removed at the bedside with pressure, and a subsequent duplex ultrasound scan revealed a vertebral artery dissection. There were no neurological sequelae. The patient was successfully anticoagulated with warfarin but died from unrelated complications. This case report describes the rare iatrogenic event of VAD and reviews its etiology, diagnosis, complications, and management.     

Magnetic resonance imaging for the study of cervical myelopathy in rheumatoid arthritis

Cervical myelopathy is found fairly often with rheumatoid arthritis. It is one of the worst complications of the disease and can lead to tetraplegia or even to sudden death. However, when we consider the high incidence of involvement of the cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis, the number of cases of cervical myelopathy, even of slight degree, is not very high. We have used magnetic resonance to identify the condition of the cervical structures, especially the nerve structures, in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, with involvement of the cervical articulations but without neurological symptoms. We found anterior compression of the spinal cord caused by the odontoid process of the epistropheus in 13 cases. One case had lateral deviation of the spinal cord and another had compression of a vertebral artery. In another the lumen of the nasopharynx was decreased and one had posterior compression of the spinal cord by the posterior arch of the atlas. Magnetic resonance also makes it possible to detect a rheumatoid pannus on the affected articulations. We conclude that magnetic resonance is at present a useful instrument for evaluation of the presence of cervical myelopathy in rheumatoid arthritis patients, to prevent more serious complications.     

Effect of cervical spondylosis on vertebral arterial flow and its association with vertigo

The aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of cervical spondylosis on vertebral arterial flow. The flow changes on Doppler measurements in patients with vertigo were also assessed. Ninety-one patients with different grades of degeneration on disks and apophysis were evaluated. The severity of degeneration was determined by two observers, and the effect of cervical degeneration on vertebral arterial flow was assessed. The relation between vertigo and changes in Doppler measurements of vertebral artery in neck and cranium was analyzed. As total degeneration increases, the flow volume decreases in the right vertebral artery but increases in the left. No other correlation between degeneration scores, cervical curve measurements, and Doppler measurements was noted. According to the total degeneration scores, no differences were noted between the patients with and without vertigo. In patients with vertigo, the resistive index was higher in the neck before the vertebral foramina. In correlations of the ratios of the intra/extracranial vertebral artery with Doppler measurements, the only change was observed in the left flow volume. The severity of degeneration in disks and apophysis does not cause a considerable change in vertebral arterial flow, and also no significant finding on Doppler measurements were noted in patients with vertigo. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Destructive spondylopathy in chondrocalcinosis ("pseudospondylodiscitis")

A case of degenerative spondylopathy in chondrocalcinosis (pseudospondylo-discitis) is presented. The incidence of vertebral involvement in chondrocalcinosis reported in the literature is reviewed. In approximately 4-10% of all cases of chondrocalcinosis the vertebral column is involved as well. Especially in elderly patients, a differential diagnosis based on clinical, radiological and laboratory findings must include infectious spondylodiscitis. In the presence of additional degenerative spondylolisthesis, as well as radiculopathy and/or symptoms of spinal stenosis, surgery is often performed. However, there are cases reported in which improvement occurs after spontaneous vertebral fusion without surgical intervention. If any vertebral change is detected that is suggestive of chondrocalcinosis, even in asymptomatic patients, it is recommended to obtain radiographs of other joints, for example, the knee and wrist, which are frequently also involved in chondrocalcinosis.     

Unusual vertebral artery origins: examples and related pathology.

Anomalies of the vertebral arteries are uncommon, but important to recognize in the diagnosis and catheter based evaluation and treatment of patients suffering cerebrovascular disease. This article illustrates our experience with such anomalies. These include the vertebral artery arising as the fourth and most distal branch of the aortic arch, as a right subclavian artery branch arising distal to the right thyrocervical trunk, as a right common carotid artery branch in a patient with an aberrant right subclavian artery, and a case of left vertebral artery proximal duplication, with both aortic and left subclavian vertebral arteries present in the same patient; the latter join to form a single distal cervical vertebral artery.     

复杂的周围动脉瘤的外科治疗

本文报告作者从１９９２年３月至１９９５年６月治疗的１１例难以控制近远心端血流复杂的周围动脉瘤的体会。１１例病人在尽可能控制与瘤体相通的动脉的前提下，均直接破瘤而入，其中１０例应用Ｆｏｇａｒｔｙ球囊导管阻断从瘤腔外无法控制的主要动脉分支，１例在体外循环辅助下，１例直接缝扎椎动脉。术后病人均痊愈出院，无并发症及死亡。     

Postmortem angiographic study of degenerative vascular changes in arteries supplying the cervicobrachial region.

OBJECTIVES--To study the prevalence of degenerative changes in the arteries supplying the cervicobrachial region, and their relation to cervical disc degeneration. METHODS--Fifty postmortem aortic arch angiographies were evaluated for occlusions and variations in the diameter of the vertebral arteries and thyro- and costocervical trunks, as well as for tortuosity, average diameter and the highest cervical level to which the ascending cervical artery, an upward continuation of the thyrocervical trunk, and the deep cervical artery, an upward continuation of the costocervical trunk, ascended. RESULTS--Localised segmental narrowings, usually situated close to the ostia of the arteries, were common, whereas total occlusions were rare. Thirty (60%) of the subjects showed a segmental narrowing at least in one of the six arteries analysed, while only two (4%) showed an occluded artery, which in both the cases was the thyrocervical trunk. Narrowings were most common in vertebral arteries, followed by costocervical and thyrocervical trunks. Segmental narrowings, as well as general tortuosity of the arteries, increased with age. It was also found that ascending and deep cervical arteries did not run as high up in the posterior neck muscles in older people as in younger ones. Twenty three subjects with marked cervical disc degeneration showed on average 2.3 arteries with segmental narrowings, while the corresponding figure for twenty seven subjects without disc degeneration was 0.6. Both the segmental narrowings and the disc degeneration, however, were strongly associated with age, and thus the causality between the former two remained unclear. CONCLUSION--The study showed that degenerative changes are common in the arteries supplying the cervicobrachial area, indicating that impaired blood flow might play a part in some cervicobrachial disorders.     

椎动脉型颈椎病的彩色多普勒超声检测

为探讨超声检测颈椎病合并椎动脉供血不足的价值 ,运用彩色多普勒超声观察了 5 0例椎动脉型颈椎病患者椎动脉的形态结构 ,检测其血流速度、阻力指数、搏动指数和血流量。将测得的各参数进行统计学处理 ,结果发现 ,与对照组相比 ,颈椎病组椎动脉的阻力指数和搏动指数明显增高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而峰值流速、舒张末期流速和血流量轻微下降 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但差异无显著性。以上提示 ,彩色多普勒超声为椎动脉型颈椎病提供了椎动脉形态学及血流动力学改变的依据。     

Large extracranial vertebral aneurysm with absent contralateral vertebral artery

The extracranial segment of the vertebral artery is well protected, and the rate of occurrence of extracranial vertebral aneurysms is very low. We describe the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented with a large aneurysm of the left vertebral artery in the angiographic absence of a right vertebral artery. Her medical history included a motorcycle accident at the age of 20, at which time a neck sprain had been diagnosed. Computed tomography of the chest and neck revealed a 6- x 4-cm aneurysm with mural thrombus in the left thoracic outlet and in the first portion of the left vertebral artery before the entrance of the transverse foramen of the 6th cervical vertebra. Angiography of the arch vessels confirmed both the presence of an aneurysm of the left vertebral artery and the absence of a right vertebral artery. Due to the lack of contralateral vertebral flow, we planned to perform a graft interposition under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, for cerebral protection. Unfortunately, the patient refused the operation and was lost to follow-up. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of an extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm in the absence of a contralateral vertebral artery. We believe that deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with graft interposition is the best treatment strategy, although we did not, in this case, have opportunity to treat the patient.     

经皮血管内支架成形术治疗高龄颈动脉狭窄患者的临床研究

目的　对平均80岁以上的高龄颈动脉狭窄患者进行经皮血管内支架成形术治疗的可行性,安全性和效果进行探讨。方法　对18例(年龄76～92岁)单侧颈动脉狭窄和其中1例合并椎动脉狭窄患者经磁共振和数字减影血管造影(DSA)确诊,后行经皮颈动脉支架和椎动脉支架血管内成形手术。结果　19例次支架置放均获成功。DSA显示狭窄段的颈动脉直径明显扩大,同侧颅内脑血管循环时间和染色趋于正常。仅1例出现部分运动性失语。随访3～18个月,无1例再发生脑缺血事件;B超复查未见明显支架内再狭窄。结论　对高龄颈动脉狭窄行经皮血管内成形治疗的安全性高,效果可靠。但需重视预防和及时处理围手术期出现的并发症。     

双侧自发性椎动脉夹层一例

椎动脉夹层是引起后循环青年卒中重要的病因,其单侧病变多见,且大多患者有明确的外伤史,双侧自发性椎动脉夹层少见.既往研究表明,颅外段椎动脉夹层给予抗血小板聚集和抗凝治疗均有效,且在监测手段上,高分辨率MRI对动脉管壁结构显示优于其他检查手段,故在椎动脉夹层的诊治及随访方面均有明显优势.该研究报道了1例经高分辨率MRI确诊及连续追踪的双侧椎动脉颅外段自发性夹层的罕见案例,该例患者源于一侧起病,虽经双重抗血小板聚集治疗但对侧出现了再发夹层,该研究结合文献对其诊治特征进行了分析.