Vascular loops in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, as identified by magnetic resonance imaging, and their relationship with otologic symptoms

Abstract

ObjectiveTo use magnetic resonance imaging to identify vascular loops in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and to evaluate their relationship with otologic symptoms.Materials and MethodsWe selected 33 adults with otologic complaints who underwent magnetic resonance imaging at our institution between June and November 2013. Three experienced independent observers evaluated the trajectory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery in relation to the internal auditory meatus and graded the anterior inferior cerebellar artery vascular loops according to the Chavda classification. Kappa and chi-square tests were used. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsThe interobserver agreement was moderate. Comparing ears that presented vascular loops with those that did not, we found no association with tinnitus, hearing loss, or vertigo. Similarly, we found no association between the Chavda grade and any otological symptom.ConclusionVascular loops do not appear to be associated with otoneurological manifestations.

Vestibular Paroxysmia with Trigeminal Neuralgia: Simultaneous Occurrence of Two Compression Syndromes: A Rare Case Report

“…The term vascular compression syndrome, introduced by McKenzie in 1936, 4 refers to a group of disorders caused by direct contact between a blood vessel and a CN. Jannetta et al suggested that redundant arterial loops could interfere with the vestibulocochlear nerve function resulting in otologic symptoms.…”

“…7 The Chavda classification grades the vascular loops in the AICA as follows: grade I, when an AICA vascular loop borders the internal auditory meatus; grade II, when the loop insinuates itself into the internal auditory meatus but occupies 50% or less of the canal; and grade III, when the loop occupies more than 50% of the canal. 4 The transition zone between the central and peripheral myelin is the most vulnerable region for symptomatic neurovascular compression syndromes. Trigeminal nerve has a transition zone of 4 mm.…”

Vértigo como presentación clínica de asa vascular de la arteria cerebelosa antero inferior

“…En la Tabla 2 se observa la clasificación de las asas vasculares. Aproximadamente en 9% de los casos, las asas vasculares de la AICA se extienden más de 50% de la longitud del CAI (10) y 12.3 % se producen dentro del CAI según estudios postmortem (11). Los principales síntomas ocasionados por una asa vascular de la AICA son acúfenos (65%), con una incidencia de 7-12% en la población general, y cuya forma de presentación en su mayoría es pulsátil (10).…”

Vascular Loops: The Innocent Bystander for Vestibular Paroxysmia

“…Type I is when an AICA vascular loop borders the internal auditory meatus; type II is when the loop insinuates itself into the internal auditory meatus but occupies 50% or less of the canal and type III is when the loop occupies more than 50% of the canal. 6 There are very few papers studying the effects of vascular loops resulting in vestibular paroxysmia. Both Sivarasan 1 and Best et al 4 showed that all of their VP subjects had vascular loops and Sivarasan went further to suggest that the nerve angulation may be a specific feature in VP.…”