Vertigo Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vertigo, including details on causes, symptoms, treatment, dizziness.

Three-dimensional visualization of vertebrobasilar system aneurysms in a vertigo patient.

Wang SJ, Chen JW, Young YH

Department of Otolaryngology, Catholic Cardinal Tien Hospital and School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Cerebral artery fenestration refers to a division in the lumen of an artery leading to two distinct endothelium-lined channels. At the site of turbulent flow, fenestration may predispose to an aneurysm formation. In this study, a 45-year-old woman suffered an acute vertiginous attack after cervical manipulation. The MRI scan demonstrated basilar artery duplication and tortuous left distal vertebral artery impinging on the cisternal segment of the cochleovestibular nerve. Subsequent three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction by MR imaging showed vertebrobasilar artery fenestrations with aneurysms. Unfortunately, subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred 6 days later, and the patient became comatose one year after presentation. In summary, subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by vertebrobasilar system aneurysms is a life-threatening event. Delineating the configuration by 3D-reconstruction of MR images allows more accurate diagnosis and more effective management.

Published 30 January 2008 in Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol, 265(3): 369-71.
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