Atlanto-Occipital Decompression of Vertebral Artery for a Variant of Bow Hunter's Syndrome: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nickalus R Khan ◽  
Turki Elarjani ◽  
Stephanie H Chen ◽  
Laszlo Miskolczi ◽  
Sheryl Strasser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Spinal Instability ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Common Etiology ◽  
Neurologically Intact ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome ◽  
Visual Abnormalities

Abstract Rotational vertebral artery (VA) occlusion syndrome, also known as bow hunter's syndrome, is an uncommon variant of vertebrobasilar insufficiency typically occurring with head rotation.1-3 The most common presenting symptom is dizziness (76.8%), followed by visual abnormalities and syncope (50.4% and 40.4%, respectively).2 Osteophytic compression due to spinal spondylosis has been shown to be the most common etiology (46.2%), with other factors, such as a fibrous band, muscular compression, or spinal instability, being documented.1,2 Treatment is dependent on the level and site of VA compression with anterior, anterolateral, or posterior approaches being described.1,4 We present the case of a 72-yr-old male with osteophytic compression of the V3 segment of the vertebral artery at the occipital-cervical junction. The patient underwent a C1 hemilaminectomy and removal of osteophytic compression from the occipital-cervical joint. The patient had complete resolution of compression of his vertebral artery on postoperative imaging and remained neurologically intact following the procedure. We review the literature on this topic, the technical nuances of the procedure performed, and review the different treatment modalities available for this rare condition.1-11  The patient consented to the procedure and to publication of their image.

Spontaneous atraumatic vertebral artery occlusion due to physiological cervical extension

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 278-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina G. Safain ◽  
Jordan Talan ◽  
Adel M. Malek ◽  
Steven W. Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Head Movement ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Cerebral Angiogram ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome

Vertebral artery (VA) occlusion is a serious and potentially life-threatening occurrence. Bow hunter's syndrome, a mechanical occlusion of the VA due to physiological head rotation, has been well described in the medical literature. However, mechanical VA compression due to routine flexion or extension of the neck has not been previously reported. The authors present the unique case of a woman without any history of trauma who had multiple posterior fossa strokes and was found to have dynamic occlusion of her right VA visualized via cerebral angiogram upon extension of her neck. This occlusion was attributed to instability at the occipitocervical junction in a patient with a previously unknown congenital fusion of both the occiput to C-1 and C-2 to C-3. An occiput to C-3 fusion was performed to stabilize her cervical spine and minimize the dynamic vascular compression. A postoperative angiogram showed no evidence of restricted flow with flexion or extension of the neck. This case emphasizes the importance of considering symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency as a result of physiological head movement. The authors also review the literature on VA compression resulting from physiological head movement as well as strategies for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

scholarly journals Fusion for subaxial bow hunter’s syndrome results in remote osseous remodeling of the hyperostotic growth responsible for vertebral artery compression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Daniel Satoshi Ikeda ◽  
Charles A. Miller ◽  
Vijay M. Ravindra
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Complete Resolution ◽  
Dynamic Compression ◽  
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
The Right ◽  
Vertebral Artery Compression ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome

Background: The authors present a previously unreported case of a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) who developed bow hunter’s syndrome (BHS) or positional vertebrobasilar insufficiency. In addition, the authors demonstrate angiographic evidence of remote osseous remodeling after segmental fusion without direct decompression of the offending bony growth. BHS is a rare, yet well established, cause of posterior circulation ischemia and ischemic stroke. Several etiologies such as segmental instability and spondylosis have been described as causes, however, DISH has not been associated with BHS before this publication. Case Description: A 77-year-old man who presented with BHS was found to have cervical spine changes consistent with DISH, and angiography confirmed right vertebral artery (VA) stenosis at C4–5 from a large pathological elongation of the right C5 lateral mass. Head rotation resulted in occlusion of the VA. The patient underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and reported complete resolution of his symptoms. A delayed angiogram and CT of the cervical spine demonstrated complete resolution of the baseline stenosis, no dynamic compression, and remote osseous remodeling of the growth, respectively. Conclusion: This case represents the first publication in the literature of DISH as a causative etiology of BHS and of angiographic data demonstrating resolution of a compressive osseous pathology without direct decompression in BHS.

Abstract 2225: Vertebral Artery Stenting for the Treatment of Bow Hunter Syndrome: a report of four cases.

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Ziad Darkhabani ◽  
Matthew Thompson ◽  
Marc A Lazzaro ◽  
Asif Taqi ◽  
Osama O Zaidat
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Hunter Syndrome ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Left Vertebral Artery ◽  
Neutral Position ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Vertebral Artery Stenting

Background: Bow Hunter syndrome is a rare condition that results from vertebrobasilar insufficiency secondary to mechanical occlusion or stenosis of the vertebral artery due to head rotation. Traditionally, surgical intervention with C1-C2 fusion or decompression of the vertebral artery was the mainstay of therapy. Endovascular intervention was rarely described for the treatment of bow hunter syndrome. Methods: The neurointerventional database between July 2005 and October 2010 was reviewed for identification of all cases of bow hunter syndrome that were treated with vertebral artery stenting. We report clinical, technical and outcome data on four patients with bow hunter syndrome who were treated with vertebral artery stenting. Results: Vertebral artery stenting was performed in the V2 segment (C2-C6) of the vertebral arteries in all four patients without significant technical difficulties. All patients reported symptomatic relief with minor or no residual stenosis on dynamic digital subtraction angiography. Conclusion: Vertebral artery stenting for the treatment of Bow Hunter syndrome is feasible, safe, and clinically effective. Endovascular techniques might offer an alternative and a minimally invasive therapy for the treatment of bow hunter syndrome. Figure 1 . Case #1. (A) Selective left subclavian angiogram showing the left vertebral artery with head in neutral position. (B) Narrowing of the V2 segment with head turned to the left. (C) Post-stenting of the V1 (origin) and V2 segments with head turned to the left.

scholarly journals Utility of Intraoperative Angiography during Subaxial Foramen Transversarium Decompression for Bow Hunter's Syndrome

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Ding ◽  
G.U. Mehta ◽  
R. Medel ◽  
K.C. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Uncinate Process ◽  
Left Vertebral Artery ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Intraoperative Angiography ◽  
Luminal Diameter ◽  
Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽  
Extracranial Vertebral Artery ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome

Bow hunter's syndrome is an uncommon cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency resulting from rotational compression of the extracranial vertebral artery. While positional compression of any portion of the extracranial vertebral artery has been reported to result in bow hunter's syndrome, the most common site of compression is the V2 segment as it passes through the foramen transversarium of the subaxial cervical spine. A 43-year-old woman presented with increasingly frequent pre-syncopal and syncopal episodes upon leftward head rotation. Pre-operative angiographic studies with the neck rotated to the left demonstrated occlusion of the left vertebral artery by a C4-5 osteophyte arising from the C4 uncinate process. The patient underwent microsurgical decompression of the vertebral artery at C4-5 through a standard anterior transcervical retropharyngeal approach. Selective vertebral artery intraoperative angiography performed with the head passively rotated to the left before and after left vertebral artery decompression showed marked improvement in the luminal diameter and blood flow. The patient's symptoms resolved post-operatively. This case illustrates the second instance of intraoperative angiography used to confirm adequate vertebral artery decompression for bow hunter's syndrome. Intraoperative angiography can be safely used to decrease the extent of vertebral artery decompression in order to minimize the risk of operative complications.

scholarly journals Rotational vertebrobasilar insufficiency due to compression of a persistent first intersegmental vertebral artery variant: case report

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek P. Buch ◽  
Peter J. Madsen ◽  
Kerry A. Vaughan ◽  
Paul F. Koch ◽  
David K. Kung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Dynamic Compression ◽  
Posterior Circulation ◽  
Posterior Arch ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Digital Subtraction ◽  
Head Turning ◽  
Atlantoaxial Fusion ◽  
Episodic Vertigo ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome

Rotational vertebrobasilar insufficiency, or bow hunter's syndrome, is a rare cause of posterior circulation ischemia, which, following rotation of the head, results in episodic vertigo, dizziness, nystagmus, or syncope. While typically caused by dynamic occlusion of the vertebral artery in its V2 and V3 segments, the authors here describe a patient with dynamic occlusion of the vertebral artery secondary to a persistent first intersegmental artery, a rare variant course of the vertebral artery. In this case the vertebral artery coursed under rather than over the posterior arch of the C-1. This patient was also found to have incomplete development of the posterior arch of C-1, as is often seen with this variant. The patient underwent dynamic digital subtraction angiography, which demonstrated occlusion at the variant vertebral artery with head turning. He was then taken for decompression of the vertebral artery through removal of the incomplete arch of C-1 that was causing the dynamic compression. After surgery the patient had a complete resolution of symptoms. In this report, the authors present the details of this case, describe the anatomical variants involved, and provide a discussion regarding the need for atlantoaxial fusion in these patients.

Bow Hunter’s Syndrome in Children: A Review of the Literature and Presentation of a New Case in a 12-Year-Old Girl

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 767-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith R. Golomb ◽  
Katrina A. Ducis ◽  
Mesha L. Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
English Language ◽  
Recurrent Stroke ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Hunter Syndrome ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Cervical Fusion ◽  
Male Predominance ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome

Background: Bow hunter's syndrome, or occlusion of the vertebral artery with head rotation leading to ischemia and sometimes stroke, is rarely described in children. The authors review the literature and present a new case. Methods: Both OVID dating back to 1946 and PubMed records were reviewed using the terms (“Bow hunter syndrome” OR “bow hunter’s”) OR “rotational vertebral artery occlusion” combined with “child,” and limited to English language. SCOPUS and the bibliographies of cases found in the search were used to identify additional articles. Results: Twelve articles were found describing 25 patients; there were 26 patients when combined with our case. Ages ranged from 1 to 18 years. Most (88.5%, 23/26) were male. Medical treatments included aspirin, clopidogrel, abciximab, enoxaparin, warfarin, and cervical collar. Stenting was tried in 2 cases but did not work long-term. Surgical treatments included decompression, cervical fusion, or a combination. We present a new case of a 12-year-old girl with recurrent stroke who had bilateral vascular compression only visible on provocative angiographic imaging with head turn. She was referred for cervical fusion, and abnormal ligamentous laxity was noted intraoperatively. Conclusions: Bow hunter's syndrome is a rare but important cause of stroke since many of the patients experience recurrent strokes before the diagnosis is made. Reasons for the male predominance are unclear. Provocative angiography plays a key role in diagnosis, and both medical treatment and neurosurgical intervention may prevent recurrence.

Transient rotational compression of the vertebral artery caused by herniated cervical disc

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Nemecek ◽  
David W. Newell ◽  
Robert Goodkin
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Ischemia ◽  
Extrinsic Compression ◽  
The Many ◽  
Herniated Cervical Disc ◽  
Adequate Decompression

✓ Of the many causes of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI), extrinsic compression of the vertebral artery (VA) is relatively uncommon. A syndrome of VBI caused by extrinsic compression of the VA secondary to head rotation has been termed positional vertebrobasilar ischemia. The authors present a case of transient VBI caused by herniation of a cervical disc. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography was used preoperatively to confirm the diagnosis and intraoperatively to monitor cerebral perfusion and to confirm that adequate decompression of the VA had been achieved.

scholarly journals Advances in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment of Bow Hunter's Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangxin Duan ◽  
Jiaping Xu ◽  
Jijun Shi ◽  
Yongjun Cao
Keyword(s):  
Conservative Management ◽  
Endovascular Procedures ◽  
Doppler Sonography ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Neck Rotation ◽  
Major Treatment ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome ◽  
Underlying Pathology

Bow hunter's syndrome (BHS), also known as rotational vertebral artery (VA) occlusion syndrome, is a rare yet treatable type of symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency resulting from mechanical occlusion or stenosis of the VA during head and neck rotation or extension. The symptoms of BHS range from transient vertigo to posterior circulation stroke. The underlying pathology is dynamic stenosis or compression of the VA by abnormal bony structures with neck rotation or extension in many cases, such as osteophyte, disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, tendinous bands or tumors. Imaging approaches, such as Doppler sonography, computed tomography and angiography, as well as magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, are widely used in the diagnosis and evaluation of this syndrome. Digital subtraction angiography with head rotation remains the gold standard diagnostic method. Conservative management, surgery and endovascular procedures are the three major treatment methods for BHS, whereas some symptomatic patients may need operative treatment including surgery and endovascular procedures when conservative management is not adequate.

scholarly journals Rare cause of Bow Hunter’s syndrome due to an aberrant course of a vertebral artery

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. e229584
Author(s):  
Kaishin Tanaka ◽  
Brendan Steinfort
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Male Patient ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Distal Portion ◽  
Posterior Circulation ◽  
Left Vertebral Artery ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Rare Entity ◽  
Hunter's Syndrome

Bow Hunter’s syndrome (BHS) is a rare cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency and is reported to most commonly be caused by vertebral artery impingement on cervical vertebrae osteophytes. We report a case in a 56-year-old male patient who on investigation of recurrent posterior circulation ischaemic strokes was found to have BHS. The aetiology of the syndrome in this patient is due to a particularly unusual aberrancy in the path of the atlantoaxial portion of the culprit left vertebral artery. Aberrancy of the distal portion of the vertebral artery is in itself a rare entity, and there are few reports of it in relation to BHS. The patient in this case was successfully treated with endovascular sacrifice of the vertebral artery with no further dynamic occlusive symptoms.

scholarly journals Atypical presentation of rotational vertebral artery insufficiency: illustrative case

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranish A. Kantak ◽  
Sarv Priya ◽  
Girish Bathla ◽  
Mario Zanaty ◽  
Patrick W. Hitchon
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Facet Joint ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Rotational Instability ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Course Of Action ◽  
Heterogeneous Nature ◽  
The Right

BACKGROUNDRotational vertebral artery insufficiency (RVAI), also known as bow hunter’s syndrome, is an uncommon cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency that leads to signs of posterior circulation ischemia during head rotation. RVAI can be subdivided on the basis of the anatomical location of vertebral artery compression into atlantoaxial RVAI (pathology at C1-C2) or subaxial RVAI (pathology below C2). Typically, RVAI is only seen with contralateral vertebral artery pathologies, such as atherosclerosis, hypoplasia, or morphological atypia.OBSERVATIONSThe authors present a unique case of atlantoaxial RVAI due to rotational instability, causing marked subluxation of the C1-C2 facet joints. This case is unique in both the mechanism of compression and the lack of contralateral vertebral artery pathology. The patient was successfully treated with posterior C1-C2 instrumentation and fusion.LESSONSWhen evaluating patients for RVAI, neurosurgeons should be aware of the variety of pathological causes, including rotational instability from facet joint subluxation. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the pathologies causing RVAI, care must be taken to decide if conservative management or surgical correction is the right course of action. Because of this heterogeneous nature, there is no set guideline for the treatment or management of RVAI.

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