Vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare cause of posterior circulation infarction in a middle-aged man

Abstract

Pseudoaneurysm of the vertebral artery is a rare cause of posterior circulation stroke. Treatment for this condition can be achieved through microscopic surgery or endovascular therapy. We report a case of a 36-year-old middle-aged male patient who presented with left limb numbness as the sole complaint. On a magnetic resonance imaging examination, multiple infarcts were observed in the left cerebellar tonsil. A subsequent head and neck computed tomography angiography examination led to the diagnosis of a pseudoaneurysm in the left vertebral artery. Following standard antiplatelet therapy, the patient underwent endovascular intervention. The patient’s left limb numbness gradually subsided after surgery. A follow-up angiography performed 1 week after discharge showed no recurrence. These findings suggest that covered stent placement is an effective method of treating pseudoaneurysm of the vertebral artery.