• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.190-192
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• 2007

Rarely, downbeat nystagmus can occur due to compression of the lower brainstem by the ectatic vertebral artery and be resolved by microvascular decompression. We present a case of a 67-year-old man with downbeat nystagmus associated with brainstem compression by ectatic vertebral artery. He presented with oscillopsia and vertigo. When he turned his head upward, his symptoms were aggravated and a gait disturbance occurred. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomographic angiography demonstrated compression of the medulla oblongata by the left ectatic vertebral artery and other medical causes of downbeat nystagmus were ruled out. Retromastoid craniotomy was performed and after lifting the vertebral artery off the medulla, a trough-shaped indentation in the lower brainstem was identified. The ectatic vertebral artery was repositioned and a Teflon was inserted between the brainstem and the ectatic vertebral artery. Postoperatively, downbeat nystagmus had disappeared.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.465-468
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• 2010

Vertebral artery loop formation causing encroachment on cervical neural foramen and canal is a rare cause of cervical radiculopathy. We report a case of 61-year-old woman with vertebral artery loop formation who presented with right shoulder pain radiating to her arm for 2 years. Plain radiograph and computed tomography scan revealed widening of the right intervertebral foramen at the C5-6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiogram confirmed the vertebral artery loop formation compressing the right C6 nerve root. We had considered microdecompressive surgery, but the patient's symptoms resolved after conservative management. Clinician should keep in mind that vertebral artery loop formation is one of important causes of cervical radiculopathy. Vertebral artery should be visualized using magnetic resonance angiography in suspected case.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.380-382
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• 2005

We report a case of atlantoaxial subluxation with bilateral high-riding vertebral artery with narrow isthmus. Because of the potential risk of bilateral vertebral artery injury, we performed atlantoaxial fixation using rod and screw instead of transarticular screw fixation. Although postoperative computed tomography reconstruction demonstrated slight breach of bilateral vertebral artery groove, postoperative angiography showed no evidence of vertebral artery injury. Though technically demanding, atlantoaxial fixation using rod and screw can be a one of the treatment options for atlantoaxial instability with bilateral high riding vertebral artery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.266-270
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• 2014

Background: Knowledge of the anatomical variation of the vertebral artery has clinical importance not only for the performance of interventional or surgical procedures itself but also to ensure their safety. We conducted a study of the anatomical variation by reviewing multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) images of the cervical spine from 460 Korean patients. Methods: 16-row MDCT data from 460 patients were used in this study. We observed 920 vertebral arteries. Examination points included level of entrance of the artery into the transverse foramen of the cervical vertebra, origin site of the vertebral artery, course of a vertebral artery with aberrant entrance. Result: The vertebral artery in 2 (0.2%) cases in this study entered into the transverse foramen of the 7th cervical vertebra from the left. In 45 (4.9%) cases, the vertebral artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 5th cervical vertebra. Of these, the entrance was on the right in 15 (1.6%) and on the left in 30 (3.3%). We found 17 (1.8%) cases in which the artery entered into the transverse foramen of the 4th cervical vertebra, 10 (1.1%) on the right and 7 (0.7%) on the left side. As is commonly acknowledged, the 6th cervical vertebra was the most common site of entry; the vertebral artery entered the transverse foramen of the 6th cervical vertebra in the remaining 855 (93.0%) cases, on the right in 434 (47.2%) and on the left in 421 (45.8%). Conclusions: In conclusion, the possibility of an atypical course of the vertebral artery in segments V1 and V2 should be evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT images before carrying out procedures involving the anterior cervical vertebrae.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.450-454
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• 2006

The incidence of vertebral artery injury during the anterior approach to the cervical spine is rare, but potentially lethal. The authors describe two cases of vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical decompression surgery. In the first case, infection was the cause of the vertebral artery injury. During aggressive irrigation and pus drainage, massive bleeding was encountered, and intraoperative direct packing with hemostatic agents provided effective control of hemorrhage. Ten days after surgery, sudden neck swelling and mental deterioration occurred because of rebleeding from a pseudoaneurysm. In the second case, the vertebral artery was injured during decompression of cervical spondylosis while drilling the neural foramen. After intraoperative control of bleeding, the patient was referred to our hospital, and a pseudoaneurysm was detected by angiography four days after surgery. Both pseudoaneurysms were successfully occluded by an endovascular technique without any neurological sequelae. Urgent vertebral angiography, following intraoperative control of bleeding by hemostatic compression in cases of vertebral artery injury during anterior cervical decompression, should be performed to avoid life-threatening complications. Prompt recognition of pseudoaneurysm is mandatory, and endovascular treatment can be life saving.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.31-37
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical manipulation for improve blood velocity and flow in the subjects with asymmetric vertebral artery. Methods: Twenty-four subjects on asymmetric vertebral artery with right side have less blood flow than left side participated in this study for apply to non-specific cervical manipulation on lower portion. Measurement method were using duplex ultrasound with colour doppler imaging for blood velocity and flow on left and right vertebral artery. Results: Compared changes of blood velocity and flow on unilateral after the cervical manipulation, the left blood velocity decreased significantly (p<.01) and the right blood velocity increased significantly (p<.01). The left blood flow no significant changes and the right blood flow increased significantly (p<.01). Compared changes of blood velocity and flow on bilateral, the left and right blood velocity and flow made significantly difference on pre-manipulation (p<.01). However, both side no significantly difference on post-manipulation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the non-specific cervical manipulation took effect for improve blood velocity and flow in the subjects with asymmetric vertebral artery. Therefore, therapeutic approaches for improve to asymmetric vertebral artery should be consider non-specific cervical manipulation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the blood flow on carotid and vertebral artery during the forward shift on head. Methods: A 20-year female healthy subject participated in this study. This study was set up the forward shift on head at the 3cm and 6cm in a shoulder midline (acromion). Measurement method were using duplex ultrasound with colour doppler imaging for the blood flow on carotid and vertebral artery. Results: Carotid artery was increased the blood flow and vertebral artery was decreased the blood flow during forward shift on head. Conclusions: These findings suggest that carotid and vertebral artery changes to the blood flow during forward shift on head. Therefore, we should be consider that hemodynamic factor when apply to the therapeutic exercise for patients of forward head posture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.301-304
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• 2012

We report a patient with a ruptured vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysm that was treated by internal trapping of the aneurysm and parent artery using detachable coils with subsequent antegrade recanalization of occluded vertebral artery during the follow-up period. A 38-year-old man was admitted with a ruptured right VA dissecting aneurysm just distal to origin of right posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The dissected segment of the VA was occluded by coil embolization. The 14 months follow-up angiography showed that dissected aneurysm was completely occluded, but the parent artery was recanalized in an antegrade fashion. Based on this unique case, the authors suggest that careful angiographic follow-up of dissecting aneurysm is required, even in patients successfully treated with endovascular occlusion of the affected artery and aneurysm.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.513-516
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• 2014

We report a case of cervicomedullary compression by an anomalous vertebral artery treated using microsurgical decompression with intraoperative monitoring. A 68-year-old woman presented with posterior neck pain and gait disturbance. MRI revealed multiple abnormalities, including an anomalous vertebral artery that compressed the spinal cord at the cervicomedullary junction. Suboccipital craniectomy with C1 laminectomy was performed. The spinal cord was found to be compressed by the vertebral arteries, which were retracted dorsolaterally. At that time, the somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) changed. After release of the vertebral artery, the SSEP signal normalized instantly. The vertebral artery was then lifted gently and anchored to the dura. There was no other procedural complication. The patient's symptoms improved. This case demonstrates that intraoperative monitoring may be useful for preventing procedural complications during spinal cord microsurgical decompression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.167-170
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• 2011

Isolated hypoglossal nerve paresis due to mechanical compression from a vascular lesion is very rare. We present a case of a 32-year-old man who presented with spontaneous abrupt-onset dysarthria, swallowing difficulty and left-sided tongue atrophy. Brain computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brainstem demonstrated an abnormal course of the left vertebral artery compressing the medulla oblongata at the exit zone of the hypoglossal rootlets that was relieved by microvascular decompression of the offending intracranial vertebral artery. This case supports the hypothesis that hypoglossal nerve palsy can be due to nerve stretching and compression by a pulsating normal vertebral artery. Microvascular decompression of the intracranial nerve and careful evaluation of the imaging studies can resolve unexpected isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy.