Vertebral Artery Stenting for Acute Multiple Cerebral Infarctions Caused by Vertebral Artery Dissection After Massage:A Case Report

Vertebral artery dissection is a rare pathology that can cause ischemic stroke in young people.Cervical massage,especially improper pulling manipulation,is a cause of vertebral artery dissection.We present a case of 32-year old woman who developed acute multiple posterior circulation ischemic cerebral infarctions as a result of left vertebral artery V4 segment dissection after receiving neck massage.She underwent emergency vertebral artery stent implantation at the site of the dissection.Symptoms were relieved the day after treatment.The patient recovered without adverse complications or endovascular restenosis in the following year.

Delayed Pseudoaneurysms of Vertebral Artery Post Penetrating Trauma: A Case Report

Objective: Vascular injuries usually present immediately after the penetration, but the delayed onset of vascular symptoms caused by vessel dissection or aneurysm after a traumatic event is extremely rare. Vertebral artery injury is a low-frequency but high-mortality injury. We aim to report evidence of delayed onset of vascular symptoms following penetrating trauma in the neck. Materials and Methods: A case report. Results: A 19-year-old boy was referred to our hospital and complained of a mass in the right part of his neck (right mandibular angle). He gave a history of penetrating trauma to his neck 2 months ago. The mass was expanding during these 2 months and doesn’t respond to antibiotic therapy. In the examination, 3 × 3 cm, firm, nonmobile, and without tenderness and pain mass was palpated in the second level of his neck. Doctors ordered a Doppler sonography in the hospital where a yin-yang pattern was reported. A 36 × 43 × 40 mm heterogeneous, solid, and hypodense area close to C1-C2-C3 with vascular flow was discovered in the right submandibular area after computed tomography (CT)-angiography. The patient was referred to an interventional neurologist for angiography and due to the lack of flow at the distal of the V3 segment, he decided to sacrifice this artery by two coils. Conclusion: Penetrating neck injuries are usually asymptomatic, but these injuries are often accompanied by hemorrhage, neurological symptoms, dysphagia, odynophagia, and windpipe. Penetrating lesions of the vertebral artery are rare and very difficult to diagnose. Also, these lesions are challenging for surgeons due to complex anatomy and difficult surgical exposure. So, endovascular treatment was used to treat the patient.

Atypical case of bow hunter’s syndrome linked to aberrantly coursing vertebral artery: A case report

BACKGROUND In bow hunter’s syndrome(BHS),also known as rotational vertebral artery(VA)syndrome,there is dynamic/rotational compression of the VA producing verte-brobasilar insufficiency.Most occurrences involve atlantoaxial rather than mid-cervical VA compromise,the latter being rarely reported.Herein,we detail successful VA decompression at mid-cervical spine,given a departure from its usual course.CASE SUMMARY The patient,a 45-year-old man,presented to our hospital with occipital headache and vertigo.Computed tomography angiography showed anomalous C4 entry of right VA,with compression upon head rotation to that side.Thyroid cartilage and anterior tubercle of C5 transverse process were visibly at fault.We opted for sur-gery,using an anterior cervical approach to remove the anterior tubercle.Patient recovery was uneventful and brought resolution of all preoperative symptoms.CONCLUSION BHS is an important consideration where aberrant coursing of VA and neurologic symptoms coexist.

Comprehensive classifications for the endovascular recanalization of vertebral artery stump syndrome

Background:and purpose:To share our single-center vertebral artery stump syndrome(VASS)treatment experience and assess the role of comprehensive classification based on anatomic development,proximal conditions,and distal conditions(PAD).Materials and methods:Data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy(EVT)at the Stroke Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University between January 2016 and December2021.Among patients with acute ischemic stroke in the posterior circulation,those with acute occlusion of the intracranial arteries and occlusion at the origin of the vertebral artery confirmed by digital subtraction angiography were selected.The clinical data were summarized and analyzed.Results:Fifteen patients with VASS were enrolled in the study.The overall success rate of surgical recanalization was 80%.The successful proximal recanalization rate was 70.6%,and the recanalization rates for P1,P2,P3,and P4 were 100%,71.4%,50%,and 66.67%,respectively.The mean operation times for the A1 and A2 types were124 and 120 min,respectively.The successful distal recanalization rate was 91.7%,and the recanalization rates for types D1,D2,D3,and D4 were 100%,83.3%,100%,and 100%,respectively.Five patients experienced perioperative complications(incidence rate:33.3%).Distal embolism occurred in three patients(incidence rate:20%).No dissection or subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in any patient.Conclusion:EVT is a technically feasible treatment for VASS,and comprehensive PAD classification can,to a certain extent,help initially estimate the difficulty of surgery and provide guidance for interventional procedures.

Assessing the Validity of a Novel Model of Vertebral Artery Type of Cervical Syndrome Induced by Injecting Sclerosing Agent Next to Transverse Process of Cervical Vertebra

The efficacy of injecting sclerosing agent next to transverse process of cervical vertebra to induce vertebral artery type of cervical syndrome(CSA)was observed.Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups:the model group and the control group.The rabbits in the model group were injected with sclerosing agent next to transverse process of cervical vertebray,on the contrary,the rabbits in the control group were injected with nothing.Transcranial Doppler(TCD)was used to detect the average speed of blo...

Angioplasty and stenting for severe vertebral artery orifice stenosis: effects on cerebellar function remodeling verified by blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging

Vertebral artery orifice stenting may improve blood supply of the posterior circulation of the brain to regions such as the cerebellum and brainstem. However, previous studies have mainly focused on recovery of cerebral blood flow and perfusion in the posterior circulation after interventional therapy. This study examined the effects of functional recovery of local brain tissue on cerebellar function remodeling using blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic reso- nance imaging before and after interventional therapy. A total of 40 Chinese patients with severe unilateral vertebral artery orifice stenosis were enrolled in this study. Patients were equally and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group received drug treat- ment only. The intervention group received vertebral artery orifice angioplasty and stenting ＋ identical drug treatment to the control group. At 13 days after treatment, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score was compared between the intervention and control groups. Cerebellar function remodeling was observed between the two groups using blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging. The improvement in dizziness handicap and cerebellar function was more obvious in the intervention group than in the control group. Interventional therapy for severe vertebral artery orifice stenosis may effectively promote cerebellar function remodeling and exert neuroprotective effects.

Reconstructive treatment of symptomatic vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with Willis covered stent: Initial experience

Background:Symptomatic vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm(VADA)is a challenging disease with controversy on treatment strategy due to anatomic configuration and their nature.Moreover,the outcomes of reconstructive treatment have not been well established.Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of reconstructive endovascular treatment(EVT)for symptomatic VADAs with Willis covered stent.Methods:We evaluated retrospectively 13 patients with symptomatic VADAs who treated with Willis covered stent,compared with stent-assisted coiling(SAC)on the characteristics,posttreatment course,angiographic and clinical follow-up outcomes at an average of 14.4 months(range,3-48 months).Results:A total of 33 patients with symptomatic VADAs were reviewed,23 of these patients with ruptured VADAs.The technical successful rate is 100%respectively in Willis covered stent(Group A)and SAC(Group B,n=20).The initial complete occlusion rate was significant higher in group A(100%)than group B(30%)(p<0.01).Major procedure-related complications were not significant different in the two groups.Serial follow-up angiograms revealed 5 recurrent VADAs in group B and no recurrence in group A(p>0.05).No obvious in-stent stenosis and no re-hemorrhage and delayed ischemic symptoms during the follow-up period.The final angiograms of all survived patients demonstrated the complete occlusion rate was higher in group A(100%)than group B(80%),but no significant statistical difference(p>0.05).Clinical outcomes were favorable in 31(93.9%),severe disability occurred in one in group B,and only one death in group A.The final clinical outcomes were also not significant difference in the two groups(p>0.05).Conclusions:Our initial result demonstrated reconstructive EVT with Willis covered stent provides a viable approach for selected symptomatic VADAs involving the intracranial and extracranial segments,which is similar to favorable results with SAC.However,an expanded clinical experiences and larger cohort studies are needed.

Acupuncture-based treatments on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type

Cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type is one of the chief patterns of cervical spondylosis.It is often described as neck pain accompanied with radiating pain and neurologic symptoms,such as sudden dizziness,blurred vision,tinnitus,nausea,vomiting,memory loss,and sudden fainting.The incidence of cervical spondylosis increases and patients with cervical spondylosis become progressively younger.Acupuncture in the cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type treatment has a local positive reaction“Liuhe point”,in order to dredge the local Qi and blood.More and more evidences into the effectiveness and safety of cervical spine acupuncture for cervical spondylosis,specific neck pain,cervical radiculopathy,etc.This article summarizes the recent literature on acupuncture and acupuncture combined with other therapies for cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type treatment and provides a comprehensive review from the perspectives of acupuncture therapy,warm needle moxibustion therapy,electroacupuncture,and acupuncture combined with other therapies,in order to provide reference and reference for clinical treatment.

Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture Combined with Massage on Cervical Spondylopathy of Vertebral Artery Type and Its Effect on Hemodynamics of Patients

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with massage on cervical spondylopathy of vertebral artery type and its effect on hemodynamics of patients.Methods:Sixty patients with vertebral artery type cervical spondylosis treated in our hospital from July 2017 to October 2019 were selected as the research subjects and randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 cases each.The control group was treated with acupuncture,and the observation group was treated with acupuncture combined with massage,and the clinical efficacy and hemodynamic index of the two groups were compared after 1 month of treatment[peak systolic blood velocity(PSV),pulsatile index(PI),time mean flow velocity(TMFV)].Results:There was no statistical difference in the PSV,PI,and TMFV between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05).After treatment,the observation group had a higher treatment efficacy than the control group with PSV and TMFV increasing and PI decreasing in both groups,and the change in the observation group was greater than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with massage on cervical spondylopathy of vertebral artery type can improve the clinical efficacy and improve the hemodynamic index of patients,which is worthy of clinical application.

Catastrophic vertebral artery and subclavian artery pseudoaneurysms caused by a fishbone:A case report

BACKGROUND Fishbone is the most common esophageal foreign body and tends to migrate after piercing the esophagus to nearby structures.Vascular injury around the esophagus is a serious complication and has a high mortality rate,especially in the case of multiple vascular injuries.CASE SUMMARY We report an extremely rare case of successive vertebral artery and subclavian artery pseudoaneurysms caused by swallowing a fishbone in a previously healthy 29-year-old female.She was transferred to the emergency department of our hospital because of hemorrhagic shock due to a vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm.We successfully managed the vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm with endovascular stent implantation and the patient's vital signs as well as hemodynamics once became stable.However,the patient died of the second subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm occurring within a short time,which was thought be related to the obvious displacement of the fishbone in the mediastinum.CONCLUSION Surgery and endovascular stent implantation may be the best choice for treating such complications.Early removal of the fishbone is of great significance in improving the survival of such patients.

Hemodynamic evaluation of contralateral vertebral artery in patients with subclavian steal syndrome by carotid ultrasound

Objective:To investigate the ultrasonographic characteristics of the hemodynamic changes of the contralateral vertebral artery(VA)in patients with different types of subclavian steal syndrome(SSS).Methods:A total of 152 cases of SSS diagnosed by carotid Doppler ultrasonography(CDU)and confirmed by CT angiography(CTA)were enrolled as the study group.The 152 cases of SSS were divided into type Ⅰ(47 cases of occult steal blood),type Ⅱ(60 cases of partial steal blood)and type Ⅲ(45 cases of complete steal blood).Meanwhile,46 cases of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were excluded from the health examination center as the control group.The diameter and hemodynamic changes of VA in healthy side of patients with different types of steal blood were analyzed and compared with the control group.Results:The hemodynamic parameters of VA on the contralateral side of three types of SSS in the study group were compared with those in the control group,there was no significant difference between type Ⅰ and the control group(P>0.05),and there was significant difference between type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ and the control group(P<0.05);The diameter and hemodynamic parameters of VA increased with the severity of steal blood(P<0.05).Conclusion:CDU examination of VA hemodynamic parameters in healthy side of SSS patients can be used to preliminarily evaluate SA lesions and VA-VA steal pathway.

Endovascular Management of Vertebral Artery Aneurysms

Background: The management outcome of a series of ruptured vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms was reviewed. Method: This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data of 60 cases with ruptured VA aneurysms in the author’s database from the year 2004. All cases were managed with coiling, stent-assisted coiling, flow diversion or endovascular parent artery sacrifice. Nimodipine and hypertensive, hypervolemic therapy was applied as standard. Outcome was assessed at 6 months with modified Rankin score (mRS). Results: There were 26 females and 34 males. Age range is 18 to 70 with a mean age of 42. There were 27 dissecting aneurysms and 33 saccular aneurysms. 50 (83%) cases were World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grade one to three. There were four WFNS grade four and six WFNS grade five. 25 cases of dissecting aneurysms were managed with parent artery coil occlusion. Two dissecting aneurysms affecting the dominant VA were treated with flow diverters. At 6 months follow up 50 (83%) achieved good outcome with mRS one to two. There were eight cases with poor outcome and two deaths. Six-month follow-up MR angiogram documented stable occlusion for the 24 cases with dissecting aneurysms treated with parent artery coil occlusion who survived. The two treated with flow diversion demonstrated good remodelling at 6 months on angiography. Six-month follow-up angiogram for the 32 cases of saccular aneurysm who survived documented stable aneurysm obliteration. Conclusion: Good outcome can be achieved with endovascular treatment for ruptured VA aneurysms. Parent artery occlusion is a safe and effective technique for ruptured VA dissecting aneurysm.

Three-dimensional CT angiography study on the relations between the vertebral artery and atlantoaxial joint

Background The vertebral artery （VA） and atlantoaxial joint （AAJ）, with complicated structures, are located in the depths of the head-neck boundary area, the regional anatomy of which cannot be shown globally and directly. This study aims to evaluate three-dimensional CT angiography （3DCTA） in displaying the AAJ, atlantoaxial segment of the vertebral artery （ASVA） and the identification of their interrelations. Methods Sixty-eight subjects without pathology of the ASVA and AAJ were selected from head-neck CTA examination. All the 3D images were formed with volume rendering （VR） together with techniques of separating, fusing, opacifying and false-coloring （SFOF）. On the 3D images, the ASVA and AAJ were observed, and their interrelations were measured. Results All the 3DCTA images were of high quality and up to our requirements. They could clearly and directly show the ASVA, ascending along the AAJ. There were 5 curves in the course of the ASVA, of which 2 curves were away from the atlantoaxial joint, one in the 2rid curve of 0.0 mm-5.4 mm, the other in the 4th of 2.6 mm-9.2 mm. There was no significant difference in the measurements between left and right （P 〉0.05）. The curved parts of the ASVA slightly expanded, with the biggest diameter of 5.6 mm in the 4th curve. Statistical comparison shows that the left ASVA is larger than the right （P 〈0.05）. Variations of the ASVA were found in 8 cases and of the AAJ in 12. Conclusions 3DCTA can globally and directly demonstrate the structures of the AAJ, ASVA and their interrelations. The 3D imaging data make up and enrich the research contents of regional anatomy and lay the foundation for related study and applications.

Wall Imaging for Unilateral Intracranial Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia with Three-dimensional High-isotropic Resolution Magnetic Resonance Images

Background：There are few studies for evaluating wall characteristics of intracranial vertebral artery hypoplasia （VAH）.The aim of this study was to determine wall characteristics of VAH with three-dimensional volumetric isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition （3D VISTA） images and differentiate between acquired atherosclerotic stenosis and VAH.Methods：Thirty patients with suspicious VAH by luminograms were retrospectively enrolled between January 2014 and February 2015.The patients were classified as ＂acquired atherosclerotic stenosis＂ or ＂VAH＂ based on 3D VISTA images.The wall characteristics of VAH were assessed to determine the presence of atherosclerotic lesions,and the patients were classified into two subgroups （VAH with atherosclerosis and VAH with normal wall）.Wall characteristics of basilar arteries and vertebral arteries were also assessed.The clinical and wall characteristics were compared between the two groups.Results：Five of 30 patients with suspicious VAH were finally diagnosed as acquired atherosclerotic stenosis by 3D VISTA images.25 patients were finally diagnosed as VAH including 16 （64.00%） patients with atherosclerosis and 9 （36.00%） patients with normal wall.In the 16 patients with atherosclerosis,plaque was found in 9 patients,slight wall thickening in 6 patients,and thrombus and wall thickening in 1 patient.Compared with VAH patients with normal wall,VAH patients with atherosclerosis showed atherosclerotic basilar arteries and dominant vertebral arteries more frequently （P =0.000）.Conclusions：Three-dimensional VISTA images enable differentiation between the acquired atherosclerotic stenosis and VAH.VAH was also prone to atherosclerotic processes.

Endovascular repair for a huge vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm caused by Behcet's disease

Behcet＇s disease （BD）, a multisystem chronic autoimmune process of unknown etiology, usually leads to arterial impairment. Isolated case reports have described BD-related arterial dissections, pseudoaneurysms or aneurysms. Recently, we successfully treated a huge vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm （VAPA） in a patient with BD by stent-grafting with preservation of the affected vertebral artery.

Anomalous vertebral artery not passing through the transverse foramen of the atlas

Ssually the vertebral artery （VA） arises from the first part of the subclavian artery and enters the transverse foramen of the C-6 vertebra （first segment） and then ascends through the transverse foramen from C-6 to the atlas （second segment）. In its third segment, the artery emerges on the superior surface of the atlas and curves horizontally over the lateral and posterior surfaces of the superior articular process of C-1 and then passes medially in front of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane. In its fourth segment, the artery pierces the dura mater and arachnoid between the occipital bone and atlas then enters the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum. To identify and preserve the VA is vital in the surgery of the craniaocervical and cervical region. However, the variations of the VA complicate the procedures of VA identification. It is valuable to know the course of VA preoperatively. Some anatomical variations of the VA occur due to its abnormal development process.

Severe pseudo-stenosis of intracranial segment of verte-bral artery:a case report

Objective:To describe the clinical fea-tures of a case of ischemic stroke caused by pseudo severe stenosis of vertebral artery(VA).Methods:The clinical history and image data of a 52-year-old man with ischemic stroke were collected.Results:Computerized tomography angiography(CTA)revealed stenosis of V1 and V4 of the left VA.DSA confirmed that the anterior blood flow recov-ered after stent implantation,and the V4 segment of the left VA was normal without stenosis.Conclusions:It is spec-ulated that the upper stenosis is due to local hemodynamic changes rather than real stenosis.This case suggests that the interpretation of stenosis on CTA should consider cere-bral vascular anatomy and hemodynamic changes.

THE CHANGE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF ENDOTHELIN IN SERUM OF VERTEBRAL ARTERIAL INSUFFICIENCY TYPE ERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

we studied 30 vertebral arterial insufficiency type cervical spondylosis patients and 30sex and age matched healthy controls by detecting their serum endothelin (ET) levels with radioimmuuoassay (RIA).At the same time, we selected 20 severe patients for operation therapy,and compared their serum ET levels before and after operation.The results showed that 30 patients had higher ET levels [(119. 46±58.65)ng/L] than those of the controls [(38. 43±14.33)ng/L], and the 20 patients had higher ET levels before operation [(139. 34±52. 56)ng/L] than after operation [(50.84±21. 67)ng/L)].Both have statistical significance (P<0.001 ).Therefore, we think that serum ET is one or important humoral factors contributing to vertebral arterial insufficiency type cervical spondylosis.It may be useful in treating verteibral arterial insufficiency type cervical spondylosis with effective ET-antibody, inhibitor or ET converting enzyme and special ET receptor blocker.

Cervical Spondylopathy Involving the Vertebral Arteries Treated by Body-Acupuncture Combined with Scalp-Acupuncture in 72 Cases

Among various types of cervical spondylopathy, the one involving the vertebral arteries is frequently encountered in the middle-aged and the old people. It is often accompanied with arteriosclerosis and high blood viscosity, and clinically it is difficult to be treated. From March 1996 to December 2000, the authors hadtreated 72 cases of cervical spondylopathy of this type and achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects shown by clinical symptoms and indicated by the trans-cranial Doppler ultrasonic examination (TCD). This is reported as follows. ……

Acute isolated vertigo with vertical up-beating nystagmus: A rare case of nucleus intercalatus of Staderini ischemia

The role of intercalatus nucleus of Staderini(INS),the most caudal of the perihypoglossal nuclei,is much debated.Last research seems to suggest that this nucleus plays a role as a vertical eyes movements integrator.The few clinical reports present in the literature that describe isolated lesions of the INS have described patients presenting in acute with up-beating vertical spontaneous nystagmus.Isolated acute lesion of INS is,in fact,much rare,and,without other neurological signs,is exceptional.We present a case of acute isolated vertigo with no other neurological signs or symptoms,due to INS ischemia provoked by vertebral artery stenosis.The patient presented with spontaneous vertical up-beating nystagmus that showed at videonystagmographic recording,a clear exponential decay of angular slow-phase velocity,that is considered a typical sign of neural integrator impairment.This case seems to represent a further confirm that INS is part,as a vertical-to-position neural integrator,of the neural circuit controlling the vertical eyes movements.