Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Vertebral Artery Hypoplasia

Abstract

Vertebral artery hypoplasia (VAH) belongs to the relatively frequent Doppler ultrasonography (US) findings. However, its clinical significance remains controversial. This was a retrospective study analyzing clinical data of patients undergoing US because of cerebrovascular disease in a single academic neurology center. In the dataset of 2500 US examinations, 80 individuals with VAH (VA diameter < 2.0 mm) were identified (3.2% of all patients). Patients with significant vertebral artery asymmetry (SVAA, difference in VA diameters > 1.0 mm) (n = 80) and patients with normal VA diameter (n = 80) were also recruited. Clinical parameters including clinical signs and symptoms, concomitant diseases, imaging findings and the hospitalization outcome were compared between groups. The frequency of vertigo was highest in VAH group. Ischemic lesions of the cerebellum were found in 10% of VAH patients, 16% of SVAA patients and 5% of control subjects. Neurological deficits improved in over 60% of patients in each group, whereas ca. 30% of patients remained in a stable neurological status. The percentage of patients who deteriorated did not exceed 5% in any of the groups. The results of our study support a relatively high frequency of VAH. Our observations suggest coexistence of VAH with a higher frequency of neurological presentations associated with posterior arterial circulation of the central nervous system.

The prevalence, clinical characteristics, and brain MRI changes in intracranial artery hypoplasia: a retrospective single-center cross-sectional study

“…The most common primary diagnosis in symptomatic VAH were ischemic stroke (41%), transient ischemic attack, cranial nerve disorders (8.8%), epilepsy (5.0%), and demyelinating disease (5.0%). 10 In conclusion, there were similar profile of clinical characteristics between this study and previous studies. Interestingly, while posterior circulation symptoms of vertigo, limb paresis, or cranial nerve palsy were predominant in cerebral artery hypoplasia (especially VAH), they were not limited to posterior circulation.…”

Vascular neuro-otology: vestibular transient ischemic attacks and chronic dizziness in the elderly

“…The vascular risk factors of the entire cohort were similar except only for arterial hypertension which was most common in the control group. Curiously, there was no difference in the clinical control and VAH/SVAA group outcome [ 11 ].…”

The association between vertebral artery hypoplasia and fetal‐type variants of the posterior cerebral artery with imaging findings among patients with posterior circulation stroke: A single‐center cross‐sectional study

“…Cerebrovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neurological departments, resulting in a substantial financial burden. 10 Posterior circulation (PC) stroke, classified as a subtype of stroke, occurs when a stroke develops within the structures supplied by the vertebrobasilar system. This includes the cervical vertebral arteries, as well as the intracranial vertebral, basilar, and posterior cerebral arteries.…”