What are the symptoms of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia?

Dolichoectasia of the vertebrobasilar artery is a vascular anomaly characterized by marked elongating, widening, and tortuosity of the arteries. Although this anomaly is usually asymptomatic, it may present with ischemic symptoms or mass effect involving brainstem or cranial nerves.

What is the treatment for dolichoectasia?

Currently there are no guidelines for the management of intracranial dolichoectasia. Although many authors recommend antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy for VDE patients with cerebral ischemia, the control of associated risk factors and the prevention of potential hemorrhage are not discussed.

What causes vertebral artery compression?

Because of the proximity of the cervical spine to the vertebral arteries, compression can also occur due to cervical bone spurs, bony malformations, lesions, disk rupture, abnormal muscle insertions, fractures, arthritis and dislocations.

What does dolichoectasia mean?

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a condition characterized by ectasia, elongation and tortuosity of the basilar artery. It may manifest clinically by compression of the cranial nerves, ischemic symptoms or intracranial bleeding.

What is vertebrobasilar ectasia?

Introduction. Vertebrobasilar ectasia (VBE) is defined as1 basilar artery (BA) >4.5 mm (1) and/or vertebral artery >4.0 mm (2). The condition affects 0.06–6% of healthy individuals and 1–11% of stroke patients (3).

How do you fix vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

Treatment for vertebrobasilar insufficiency

  1. Medication and lifestyle changes. Patients who have vertebrobasilar insufficiency, a history of stroke, or TIA (“mini-stroke”) should quit smoking immediately, attempt to lower cholesterol levels through diet, and exercise regularly.
  2. Open surgical repair.
  3. Endovascular repair.

Is ectasia same as aneurysm?

The difference between ectasia, aneurysm are often subtle and mainly semantic. . If the length of the dilated segment is more than 50 % of diameter it is called ectasia. When the diameter is more than 50 % of length it is termed aneurysm . ( With a minimal enlargement of 150 % of the reference segment.

How is vertebrobasilar insufficiency diagnosed?

Diagnosing Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency CT scan or MRI of your brain. Computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), or an ultrasound to get a closer look at your blood vessels. Blood tests that may include a study on your blood’s clotting factor. Echocardiogram.

What is Ectatic basilar artery?

Basilar artery is considered ectatic when it measures >4.5 mm at mid pons level. 1–3 In cases of VBD, elongation of the artery is quantified based on the level of basilar bifurcation.

Is vertebrobasilar insufficiency serious?

Many people with VBI have only minor health problems. But VBI puts you at higher risk for a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini stroke). This condition can also sometimes cause serious disability and death.