Anterior inferior cerebellar artery loop and tinnitus—is there any association between them?

Saraf, Aditiya; Gupta, Nitika; Manhas, Monica; Kalsotra, Parmod

doi:10.1186/s43163-022-00369-w

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…A loop of AICA also enters the internal auditory canal (IAC) along with VII and VIII cranial nerves in about 20-40% of cases. This anatomical course of AICA makes it the culprit vessel implicated in various compression syndromes [ 3 ]. The term “vascular compression syndrome” was first described by McKenzie in 1936 and made popular by Jannetta in 1975.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Vascular Loop in Cerebellopontine Angle With Three-Dimensional Constructive Interference in Steady State (CISS) Sequence MRI

Sajjan

et al. 2024

Cureus

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BackgroundThe cerebellopontine angle (CPA) cistern houses vital neurovascular structures such as cranial nerves V, VII, and VIII and the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), often leading to neurovascular compression syndromes due to its complex anatomy. Although vascular compression is a recognized cause of certain neuralgias, its association with otologic symptoms such as tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness remains uncertain. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of the AICA vascular loop in the CPA cistern on MRI in patients with asymptomatic audiovestibular symptoms. MethodologyAdult patients who underwent MRI, including the posterior fossa's high-resolution volumetric T2 sequence (three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS)), were assessed. Patients with a history of audiovestibular symptoms (tinnitus/dizziness/vertigo/sensorineural hearing loss), intracranial tumor, vascular lesions, intracranial surgery, brain radiation therapy, traumatic brain injury, poor image quality, and MRI scans without 3D-CISS sequences were excluded. Two radiologists independently reviewed 114 (228 sides) MRI studies for the vascular loop of AICA in the CPA cistern and the extension of the AICA loop into the ipsilateral internal acoustic meatus which was graded by Chavda's classification. ResultsThe prevalence of vascular loop of AICA in the CPA cistern was as high as 47.6% in asymptomatic patients. Grade I Chavda vascular loop was the most common type followed by type II, with type III being the least common type. ConclusionsKnowledge regarding the high prevalence of the AICA loop in the asymptomatic population and the lack of significant correlation between the presence of the AICA loop and otovestibular symptoms should be considered in preoperative planning for decompression procedures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%