Vascular decompression of a vertebral artery loop producing cervical radiculopathy

1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Detwiler ◽  
Randall W. Porter ◽  
Timothy R. Harrington ◽  
Volker K. H. Sonntag ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Vascular Structure ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
Radicular Symptoms ◽  
The Right ◽  
Vascular Decompression

✓ Vertebral artery tortuosity and loop formation are rare causes of cervical radiculopathy. The authors present the case of a 70-year-old man with 9 years of progressive right-sided cervical and scapular pain but no history of trauma. Computerized tomography myelography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ovoid mass in the right C3–4 intervertebral foramen. The patient underwent a right C-3 and C-4 hemilaminectomy and a complete C3–4 facetectomy. A pulsatile vascular structure was found compressing the right C-4 nerve root. The bone overlying the vascular structure was removed, producing decompression of the nerve root. Immediate postoperative angiography showed that this lesion was a focal vertebral artery loop. The patient's symptoms resolved after surgery, supporting the use of vascular decompression of a cervical nerve root compressed by a vertebral artery loop for the relief of radicular symptoms.

Surgical management of cervical radiculopathy caused by redundant vertebral artery loop

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziad A. Hage ◽  
Sepideh Amin-Hanjani ◽  
Dennis Wen ◽  
Fady T. Charbel
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Anterolateral Approach ◽  
Transverse Foramen ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Vascular Decompression

In this article, the authors describe the case of a 27-year-old female presenting with a 2-year history of neck pain and radiculopathy attributable to compression of the right C-7 nerve root by tortuosity of the vertebral artery at the level of the C6–7 cervical foramina. An anterolateral approach to the transverse foramen was used to perform a vascular decompression to decompress the nerve root. The procedure was uneventful, and the patient woke up with almost all of her symptoms resolved. The authors also include a literature review of techniques performed in this setting, showing that multiple surgical approaches can be used and should be tailored to the patient symptoms and lesion characteristics.

scholarly journals Anterior artery release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) for radiculopathy caused by a vertebral artery loop

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazda Farshad ◽  
José Miguel Spirig ◽  
Marco D. Burkhard
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Surgical Strategies ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right ◽  
Neurovascular Decompression

Abstract Background Anomalous vertebral artery (VA) with loop formation is a rare cause of cervical nerve root compression. Various techniques with anterior and posterior approaches have been described for surgical treatment once conservative treatments fail. We herein present a case treated with the new technique of anterior release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) and further provide an updated review of surgically managed VA loops in the subaxial spine. Case description A 76-year-old female complained of a 6-year history of pulsating, shooting pain in her right arm to the thumb. After obtaining repeated MRI, the VA loop compressing the right-sided C6-nerve root was detected. A neurovascular decompression through ARDF which led to an indirect loop straightening was performed. The patient immediately improved after surgery and remained pain-free 1 year postoperative. Conclusion Neural irritation due to VA loop formation is a rare cause of cervical radiculopathy. While various surgical strategies have been described, we believe that anterior and anterolateral approaches are the safest to yield neurovascular decompression. We described and documented ARDF (anterior VA release, intervertebral distraction and fusion) on a patient case. Level of evidence II (Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding).

Cervical conjoined nerve root variant: preoperative imaging and surgical confirmation

1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constance R. Chu ◽  
Randall M. Chesnut
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Preoperative Imaging ◽  
Neural Foramen ◽  
Cervical Nerve Root ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
The Right ◽  
Tomography Scan ◽  
Conjoined Nerve Root

✓ A case of a nerve root anomaly in a patient presenting with cervical radiculopathy is presented. The patient was treated with posterolateral exploration and decompression, resulting in relief of pain and improvement in strength. Both the preoperative contrast-enhanced computerized tomography scan and the magnetic resonance image demonstrated an abnormality behind the C-4 body extending from the right C3–4 neural foramen to the neural foramen at C4–5. At surgery, a dural-encased structure was discovered connecting the C-4 and C-5 nerve roots within the spinal canal. This paper describes the first reported case of a cervical nerve root anomaly of this type, representing a variant of a conjoined nerve root. The occurrence of such nerve root anomalies in the cervical spine should be entered into the differential diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy.

scholarly journals Tortuous vertebral artery triggering vertebral foramen expansion and radiculopathy in a 19-year-old patient: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim F. Naldemir ◽  
Elif Nisa Unlu ◽  
Omer Onbas
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
Arterial Tortuosity ◽  
Turkish Patient ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Arterial tortuosity is a widespread condition commonly occurring in cerebral arteries and often associated with the elderly. Moderate arterial tortuosity is often not symptomatic, but if there is severe tortuosity, various symptoms may occur, depending on the localization. In the literature, many factors have been reported as causing tortuosity in the vertebral arteries. In this case report, considering the age of our patient, we propose that, in addition to these previously reported reasons, congenital factors may also contribute to this situation. Case presentation We present a case of a 19-year-old Turkish patient with a tortuous vertebral artery causing pain and tingling in the right shoulder and neck. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed vertebral foramen enlargement thought to be secondary to a loop formation in the vertebral artery. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. Conclusions There are many causes of cervical radiculopathy. Arterial tortuosity, a rare cause of radiculopathy, should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Consideration of the existence of this variation is of great importance in preventing possible dangerous complications during surgery.

Lobular capillary hemangioma of the cauda equina

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert N. N. Holtzman ◽  
Paul M. Brisson ◽  
Richard E. Pearl ◽  
Michael L. Gruber
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cauda Equina ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Capillary Hemangioma ◽  
Lobular Capillary Hemangioma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tendon Reflex ◽  
History Of ◽  
Normal Strength ◽  
The Right

✓ This 56-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of low-back pain, sciatica, and paresthesias in the right S-1 dermatome. On examination the patient was shown to have a right-sided Lasègue's sign, normal strength, hypalgesia in the right S-1 dermatome, and a slight diminution of the right Achilles tendon reflex. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 2-cm intradural enhancing lesion at the level of the L-4 vertebra. Laminectomy of L3–L5 vertebrae was performed, and intradural exploration disclosed a blueberry-appearing tumor that was surrounded by an intense arachnoiditis and attached to the right S-1 nerve root. A cystic collection of cerebrospinal fluid was seen caudal to the tumor. Complete removal required transection of the adherent nerve root fascicles. Histological analyses indicate that the lesion was a lobular capillary hemangioma, which, to the authors' knowledge, appears to be one of the first recorded examples of such a case.

Microsurgical anterior cervical foraminotomy for radiculopathy: a new approach to cervical disc herniation

1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hae-Dong Jho
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cervical Radiculopathy ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Intervertebral Disc Space ◽  
Disc Space ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Cervical Foraminotomy

✓ A new technique of microsurgical anterior foraminotomy was developed to improve the treatment of cervical radiculopathy. This technique provides direct anatomical decompression of the compressed nerve root by removing the compressive spondylotic spur or disc fragment. The nerve root is decompressed from its origin in the spinal cord to the point at which it passes behind the vertebral artery laterally. Because most of the disc within the intervertebral space is undisturbed, a functioning motion segment of the disc remains intact. This technique differs from that of Verbiest in that it does not directly transpose the vertebral artery. Unlike Hakuba's technique, the disc within the intervertebral disc space is not removed.

Propriospinal myoclonus due to cervical disc herniation

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Holger Capelle ◽  
Johannes C. Wöhrle ◽  
Ralf Weigel ◽  
Eva Grips ◽  
Hans-Jörg Bäzner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Cervical Disc Herniation ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Abdominal Muscles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Radicular Symptoms ◽  
The Right ◽  
Propriospinal Myoclonus

✓ Propriospinal myoclonus is a rare form of spinal myoclonus. In most cases the cause has remained unclear. Secondary propriospinal myoclonus has been described secondary to various disorders including trauma, tumor, and infection. Thus far, propriospinal myoclonus caused by cervical disc herniation has not been reported. In the present report, the authors describe the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with radicular symptoms of the right C-6 nerve root and myoclonic twitches predominantly affecting the abdominal muscles but spreading to adjacent muscles. The spread was triggered and enforced by certain movements. Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed a C-6 nerve root compression at the C5–6 level on the right side but no cervical myelopathy. Electromyography studies confirmed the diagnosis of propriospinal myoclonus. After discectomy and cage-augmented fusion via an anterior approach, the myoclonic movement disorder gradually subsided. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on successful treatment of propriospinal myoclonus by spinal disc surgery.

Spontaneous craniocervical osseous fusion caused by cervical dystonia

2001 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Weigel ◽  
Michael Rittmann ◽  
Joachim K. Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Dystonia ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Sternocleidomastoid Muscle ◽  
Facet Joints ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
Posterior Neck ◽  
Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation ◽  
The Right ◽  
Rotatory Fixation

✓ The authors report on a 31-year-old man with spontaneous craniocervical osseous fusion secondary to cervical dystonia (CD). After an 8-year history of severe CD, the patient developed a fixed rotation of his head to the right. Three-dimensional computerized tomography reconstructions revealed rotation and fixation of the occiput and C-1 relative to C-2, which was similar to that seen in atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. There was abnormal ossification of the odontoid facet joints and ligaments. Additional ossification was observed in the cervical soft tissue bridging the lateral mass of C-1 and the occiput. The patient underwent partial myectomy of the dystonic left sternocleidomastoid muscle and selective posterior ramisectomy of the right posterior neck muscles; postoperatively he experienced relief of his neck pain. In patients with CD refractory to conservative treatment, the appropriate timing of surgical treatment is important.

Surgical treatment of laterally ruptured cervical disc

1973 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Murphey ◽  
James C. H. Simmons ◽  
Bruce Brunson
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Cervical Disc ◽  
Root Pressure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arm Pain ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
History Of ◽  
Neurosurgical Operation ◽  
Better Than

✓ From the analysis of 648 patients operated on for ruptured cervical discs between 1939 and March of 1972 and a follow-up study of 380 of these patients, the following conclusions seem justified. Osteophytes or hypertrophic spurs rarely produced the classical clinical picture or deficits. Ninety per cent of the patients awakened in the morning with pain in the neck and rhomboid region. Ten per cent had a history of injury, but there was no characteristic pattern as in lumbar discs. Only one patient had a typical hyperextension injury. Anterior chest pain occurred in one-fifth of the cases. Pain in the neck, rhomboid region, and anterior chest was referred from the discs, while the arm pain was usually the result of nerve root compression; however, in a few cases the degenerating disc caused referred pain to the arm without any nerve root pressure. Since accurate diagnosis can be made on clinical grounds, myelography is not necessary in most cases. In our experience conservative treatment was usually unsuccessful while the surgical results were better than in almost any other neurosurgical operation. The nerve root syndromes associated with extruded lateral cervical discs are outlined and the indications and contraindications for myelography discussed.

Bow Hunter's Syndrome: Complete Microsurgical Decompression of Vertebral Artery by Far Lateral Retrocondylar Approach: 3-Dimensional Operative Video

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qazi Zeeshan ◽  
Juan P Carrasco Hernandez ◽  
Laligam N Sekhar
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Dynamic Compression ◽  
Skin Incision ◽  
Left Vertebral Artery ◽  
Occipital Condyle ◽  
Cerebral Angiogram ◽  
Microsurgical Decompression ◽  
C2 Nerve Root ◽  
The Right

Abstract This 50-yr-old man had a 15-yr history of presyncopal episodes that were precipitated by turning his head to the right, and had worsened recently. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated complete cessation of anterograde flow in left vertebral artery (VA) at the level of the C1 sulcus arteriosus while turning head to right, indicating dynamic compression at the C1 level.  Patient underwent left extreme lateral retrocondylar approach, partial C1 laminectomy and opening of the C1 foramen with complete microsurgical decompression of the VA. After skin incision, meticulous muscle dissection was performed and superior and inferior oblique muscles were disconnected from the tubercle of C1. The VA was exposed, and three areas of constriction were visible, first at the atlanto-occipital membrane laterally; second, located more medially as the artery curved around the occipital condyle to enter the posterior fossa; and third, located anterior to C2 nerve root. The artery was dissected from all the surrounding tissues, preserving the C2 nerve root, and the Cl foramen was opened completely. The Cl lamina was also partially resected and grooved to allow free placement of the VA. The VA was also decompressed near the C2 foramen. Postoperative computed tomography angiogram of the head and neck showed complete decompression of VA. The patient had no episodes of presyncope or dizziness while turning head to right and his mRs was 0 at 8 mo follow up.  This 3D video shows the technical nuances of decompression of V3 segment of VA in bow hunters's syndrome.  Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the surgery that included videotaping of the procedure and its distribution for educational purposes. All relevant patient identifiers have also been removed from the video and accompanying radiology slides.

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