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.

Positional vertebral artery compression and vertebrobasilar insufficiency due to a herniated cervical disc

2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenta Ujifuku ◽  
Kentaro Hayashi ◽  
Keishi Tsunoda ◽  
Naoki Kitagawa ◽  
Tomayoshi Hayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Decompression Surgery ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Intraoperative Angiography ◽  
The Right ◽  
Vertebral Artery Compression ◽  
Herniated Cervical Disc

The authors report a case of vertebrobasilar insufficiency caused by vertebral artery (VA) compression due to a herniated cervical disc, which was surgically treated with the aid of intraoperative angiography. This 78-year-old man visited the hospital because of syncope following head rotation. Admission CT scans revealed a calcified mass adjacent to the right lateral process of the C-4 spine. Cervical angiography demonstrated an obstruction of the right VA at this region on rotation of the head to the right. The operation revealed a cervical disc protruding toward the right VA. The disc was surgically removed, and then the decompression of the right VA was confirmed on intraoperative angiography studies. A histopathological examination showed fibrohyaline cartilage, indicating an ossified intervertebral disc. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he has not experienced any syncope since treatment. A cervical disc herniation could be a cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency by exerting positional compression of the VA. Intraoperative angiography could be quite useful to confirm this condition during decompression surgery for a cervical VA.

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.

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.

Microvascular decompression of a C-2 segmental-type vertebral artery producing trigeminal hypesthesia

2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 919-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan N. Sellin ◽  
Baraa Al-Hafez ◽  
Edward A. M. Duckworth
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Complete Resolution ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Facial Numbness ◽  
The Right

The authors report a case of trigeminal hypesthesia caused by compression of the spinal cord by a C-2 segmental-type vertebral artery (VA) that was successfully treated with microvascular decompression. Aberrant intradural VA loops have been reported as causes of cervical myelopathy, some of which improved with microvascular decompression. A 52-year-old man presented with progressive complaints of headache, dizziness, left facial numbness, and left upper-extremity paresthesia that worsened when turning his head to the right. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed the left VA passing intradurally between the axis and atlas, foregoing the C-1 foramen transversarium, and impinging on the spinal cord. The patient underwent left C-1 and C-2 hemilaminectomies followed by microvascular decompression of an aberrant VA loop compressing the spinal cord. The patient subsequently reported complete resolution of 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.

scholarly journals Bow hunter syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis: illustrative case

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian P. Curry ◽  
Vijay M. Ravindra ◽  
Jason H. Boulter ◽  
Chris J. Neal ◽  
Daniel S. Ikeda
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Hunter Syndrome ◽  
Left Vertebral Artery ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Vascular Insufficiency ◽  
Vertebral Artery Compression ◽  
Spine Disease

BACKGROUND Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently features degeneration and instability of the cervical spine. Rarely, this degeneration manifests as symptoms of bow hunter syndrome (BHS), a dynamic cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. OBSERVATIONS The authors reviewed the literature for cases of RA associated with BHS and present a case of a man with erosive RA with intermittent syncopal episodes attributable to BHS as a result of severe extrinsic left atlantooccipital vertebral artery compression from RA-associated cranial settling. A 72-year-old man with RA-associated cervical spine disease who experienced gradual, progressive functional decline was referred to a neurosurgery clinic for evaluation. He also experienced intermittent syncopal events and vertiginous symptoms with position changes and head turning. Vascular imaging demonstrated severe left vertebral artery compression between the posterior arch of C1 and the occiput as a result of RA-associated cranial settling. He underwent left C1 hemilaminectomy and C1–4 posterior cervical fusion with subsequent resolution of his syncope and vertiginous symptoms. LESSONS This is an unusual case of BHS caused by cranial settling as a result of RA. RA-associated cervical spine disease may rarely present as symptoms of vascular insufficiency. Clinicians should consider the possibility, though rare, of cervical spine involvement in patients with RA experiencing symptoms consistent with vertebral basilar insufficiency.

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.

Rotational vertebrobasilar insufficiency as a component of thoracic outlet syndrome resulting in transient blindness

1994 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Sell ◽  
Jesse R. Rael ◽  
William W. Orrison
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Cortical Blindness ◽  
Left Vertebral Artery ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aged Woman ◽  
Extrinsic Compression ◽  
Vertebral Artery Compression

✓ Cases of unilateral vertebral artery compression associated with thoracic outlet syndrome infrequently result in symptoms and, of those that do, most involve the brain stem. Reports of transient blindness resulting from this condition are even more rare. The authors describe the case of a middle-aged woman who presented with transient blindness when she turned her head excessively to the left. She also exhibited other less severe brainstem symptoms. Arteriography demonstrated occlusion of the left vertebral artery only when her head was rotated to the left. Surgical exploration revealed entrapment of the left vertebral artery by a tight anterior scalene muscle, release of which resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms. Both neurosurgeons and radiologists need to be aware that extrinsic compression of the vertebral artery precipitated by head rotation may sometimes result in transient cortical blindness.

Rotational vertebral artery occlusion: Case report and review of literature

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Vascular Lesion ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency ◽  
Transverse Foramen ◽  
Vertebral Artery Occlusion ◽  
The Right

Rotational vertebral artery occlusion (RVAO) classically involves transient, position-dependent vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) that occurs when an extra-vascular lesion (e.g. osteophyte or fibromuscular band) compresses a dominant vertebral artery with turning of the head to one side. Our patient presented with VBI associated vertigo, dizziness, and lightheadedness that occurred when her head was turned to the right. RVAO was initially suggested by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) changes that were not supported by initial catheter angiography. After her symptoms worsened over a course of two years, the diagnosis was confirmed with repeat angiography with head rotation. Further imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance demonstrated spondylosis at the C5-C6 vertebrae and an osteophyte near the C5 transverse foramen, which caused position-dependent extra-vascular compression. She was treated with surgical decompression and anterior discectomy and fusion at C5-C6. The unique anatomical pathology of this case combined with the diagnostic discrepancy between early TCD and angiography make it an interesting contribution to the otherwise limited body of literature on RVAO.

scholarly journals Refractory Syncope with Head Rotation Leading to the Diagnosis of Bowhunter’s Syndrome Requiring Intensive Rehabilitation: A Case Report

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Mohammed Siddiqui ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Head Rotation ◽  
Lateral Mass ◽  
Transverse Foramen ◽  
Cerebral Angiogram ◽  
Ct Angiogram ◽  
The Right ◽  
Vertebral Artery Compression ◽  
Intensive Rehabilitation

This is a case report regarding the presentation of Bowhunter’s syndrome, also known as vertebral artery rotational occlusion, leading to surgical intervention and intensive rehabilitation [1]. A 74-year-old man presented with syncope and vertigo with symptom onset after head rotation and CT angiogram showing cervical spondylosis and lateral mass hypertrophy causing significant compression of the right vertebral artery at C4-C5. A diagnostic cerebral angiogram then showed vertebral artery compression in the C4-C5 transverse foramen by lateral mass hypertrophy with lateral rotation of the head to the right. There was resolution of stenosis with the head in neutral or rotated to the left. The patient underwent a right C4-5 facetectomy with C3-6 fusion for Bowhunter’s Syndrome. After neurosurgical intervention, the patient had significant reduction in his symptoms, but with significant functional deficits. Bowhunter’s Syndrome is a rare cause of syncope that must be evaluated due to risk of ischemia to the posterior circulation. Intensive rehabilitation should be considered for patients that present with significant deficits due to prolonged ischemia leading to impaired activities of daily living and mobility after neurosurgical decompression

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