Vertebro Basilar Artery Insufficiency
Description
Insufficient blood flow to the cerebellum and mid brain.The vertebro-basilar artery supplies the cerebellum and mid brain. Decreased blood flow in this area causes balance problems, room spinning, double vision and difficulty speaking. These blood vessels can be blocked from atherosclerosis and the other typical causes of stroke. Additionally, the vertebral arteries travel through a channel in the spine and sudden flexing or extending, or chiropractic manipulation of the neck can cause injury (dissection) of this vessel causing the insufficiency even in young patients.
Symptoms
Loss of vision, particularly affecting same part of the visual field on both eyes, double vision, vertigo (sensation of things spinning around), numbness or tingling, nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, problems with balance, poor coordination, headache, neck ache, loss of hearing, slurred speech.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional tests will be done to establish the diagnosis. A CTA of the head and neck, a MRA of the head and neck or an angiogram identifies the vascular abnormality.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- X-Ray
- EKG
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
Therapy is divided into emergency treatment, and the prevention of recurrences. Treatment of acute symptoms may include: anti-platelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel/Plavix), blood pressure medications, and/or throbolytics. Thrombolytics or clot busting medications can only be given if patients are diagnosed within 4.5 hours of their first symptoms. Prevention of the disorder involves controlling blood pressure, treating elevated cholesterol, and not smoking.
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