Magnetic resonance angiography and transcranial Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with a clinical diagnosis of vertebrobasilar insufficiency

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the findings of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) in patients with a clinical diagnosis of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). METHOD: From our outpatient neurotology clinic, we selected patients (using the criteria proposed by Grad and Baloh) with a clinical diagnosis of VBI. We excluded patients with any definite cause for vestibular symptoms, a noncontrolled metabolic disease or any contraindication to MRA or TCD. The patients in the study group were sex- and age-matched with subjects who did not have vestibular symptoms (control group). Our final group of patients included 24 patients (study, n=12; control, n=12). RESULTS: The MRA results did not demonstrate significant differences in the findings between our study and control groups. TCD demonstrated that the systolic pulse velocity of the right middle cerebral artery, end diastolic velocity of the basilar artery, pulsatility index (PI) of the left middle cerebral artery, PI of the right middle cerebral artery, and PI of the basilar artery were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group, suggesting abnormalities affecting the microcirculation of patients with a clinical diagnosis of VBI compared with controls. CONCLUSION: MRA failed to reveal abnormalities in patients with a clinical diagnosis of VBI compared with controls. The PI of the basilar artery, measured using TCD, demonstrated high sensitivity (91%) and specificity (91%) for detecting clinically diagnosed VBI.

Terapia endovascular de la trombosis de arteria basilar: reporte de 2 casos / Endovascular therapy of basilar artery thrombosis: 2 case report

Resumen Los eventos cerebrovasculares afectan el territorio de la circulación posterior pueden tener un comportamiento benigno,sin embargo, la oclusión de la arteria basilar suele tener consecuencias devastadoras. El uso de trombolísis sistémica ointra-arterial y la terapia endovascular son opciones terapéuticas con recuperación funcional apropiada. Se reportan doscasos de trombosis arterial basilar cuyo diagnóstico temprano permitió un manejo combinado entre embolectomía endovasculary trombólisis con resultados adecuados.

Abstract Stroke of the posterior cerebral circulation may have a benign course but basilar artery thrombosis usually have devastating consequences. Systemic thrombolysis and endovascular treatment are promising options with appropriate functional outcomes. We report two cases of basilar artery thrombosis in which early diagnosis and treatment with endovascular embolectomy and thrombolysis showed good results.

Relationship of inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference with subclavian artery stenosis and vertebral artery stenosis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the association of inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD) with carotid artery stenosis, subclavian artery stenosis and vertebral artery stenosis in patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy. Methods: A total of 141 patients (29 females, 112 males; mean age 71.2±10.4 years; range 47 to 92 years) who underwent carotid endarterectomy between September 2010 and December 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. We classified patients into four groups according to the IASBPD ˂ 10 mmHg, ≥ 10 mm Hg, ≥ 20 mmHg and ≥ 30 mmHg. The stenosis of both subclavian and vertebral arteries was considered as ≥ 50%. Results: Of the 141 patients, 44 (31.2%) had ≥ 10 mmHg, 29 (20.5%) had ≥ 20 mmHg and 4 (2.8%) had ≥ 30 mmHg of IASBPD. 26 patients (18.4%) were diagnosed with significant subclavian artery stenosis and 18 (69.2%) of them had more than 20 mmHg of IASBPD. Of the 29 patients with IASBPD ≥ 20 mmHg, 19 patients (65.5%) had a significant subclavian artery stenosis. We found a significant correlation between preoperative symptoms and subclavian artery stenosis (P=0.018) and overall perioperative stroke was seen more frequently in patients with subclavian artery stenosis (P=0.041). A significant positive correlation was observed between vertebral artery stenosis and subclavian artery stenosis (P=0.01). Conclusion: Patients who were diagnosed with both subclavian artery stenosis and IASBPD (≥ 20 mmHg) had a higher risk of postoperative stroke and death, had higher total cholesterol, LDL-C, blood creatinine level, and were more symptomatic.

Manejo endovascular de estenosis vertebral intracraneal con stent coronario balón expandible: reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Endovascular management of intracranial vertebral stenosis with a coronary balloon-expandable-stent: report of two cases and literature review

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: El manejo endovascular de la estenosis de la arteria vertebral en pacientes con infarto cerebral recurrente continúa siendo un tema con múltiples lagunas de conocimiento debido a la poca evidencia científica con la que se cuenta en la actualidad. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Se informan dos casos típicos de estenosis vertebral y recurrencia de infarto cerebral cerebral manejados con dispositivos endovasculares alternativos a los utilizados en la actualidad (stent balón expandible medicado con zotarolimus), con desenlaces clínicos e imagenológicos satisfactorios. Se describe la técnica usada, la condición clínica y se ilustran los resultados angiográficos. CONCLUSIÓN: A la luz de las nuevas generaciones de dispositivos y técnicas neuroendovasculares, consideramos que debe realizarse una evaluación cuidadosa e individual de los pacientes con recurrencia de enfermedad cerebrovascular y estenosis vertebral, a pesar de un manejo médico optimizado. Aún se requieren estudios conrolados que permitan la uniformidad futura en la selección de pacientes y la toma de decisiones.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Endovascular management of vertebral artery stenosis in patients with recurrent cerebral infarction remains a topic with multiple gaps in knowledge because of poor scientific evidence is available today. REPORT OF CASES: Here are reported two typical cases of cerebral infarction recurrence due to vertebral artery stenosis managed with new endovascular devices (balloon-expandable-stent medicated with zotaroli-mus), with satisfactory clinical and neuroimaging outcomes. Herein it is described the technique used and the angiographic findings are illustrated. CONCLUSION: In light of new devices and neurointerventional techniques, we consider that it should be done a careful and individual evaluation of patients with vertebral stenosis and stroke recurrence despite an optimized medical management. It is still required more studies that allow future consistency in the selection of patients and decision making.

Síndrome de enclaustramiento: presentación de un caso / Locked-in syndrome: case report

El síndrome de enclaustramiento (Locked-in syndrome) es una entidad neurológica altamente discapacitante, producida por lesiones en la porción ventral de la protuberancia; de etiología principalmente vascular. Clínicamente se manifiesta por tetraplejía, anartria, preservación de la conciencia y capacidad de expresarse mediante movimientos oculares. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 33 años, transferido de otra institución de salud con un cuadro clínico progresivo y poco específico, caracterizado principalmente por deterioro del estado de conciencia, dificultad respiratoria, cefalea de intensidad moderada y vómitos. Mediante pruebas de imágenes se comprobó la presencia de un área de isquemia en la región irrigada por el sistema vertebrobasilar. Se realizó un enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico invasivo de orden endovascular.

Locked-in syndrome is a highly disabling neurological entity, due to lesions in the ventral portion of the pons, mainly vascular etiology. Clinical features are quiadriplegia, anarthria, preservation of consciousness and the ability to express by ocular movements. We shown a case of a 33 years-old man, who was transfer from another institution with a progressive and poorly specific clinical manifestations, mainly characterized by diminishing of consciousness, breathing difficulty, headache and vomiting, with the presumptive diagnosis of central nervous system infection. We performed image diagnostic tests and they shown and ischemic feature in the region of the vertebrobasilar irrigation. It was perform an endovascular diagnostic therapeutic approach.

Efectos de las maniobras cervicales en el flujo arterial vertebral extracraneal en pacientes con insuficiencia vertebrobasilar / Effects of the cervical maneuvers in the vertebral extracraneal arterial flow in patients with vertebrobasilar failure

Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental de 52 pacientes con insuficiencia vertebrobasilar, atendidos en el Hospital General Docente "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" de Santiago de Cuba, desde septiembre hasta marzo del 2014, a fin de determinar los efectos de las maniobras de rotación cervical en el flujo sanguíneo a nivel de las arterias vertebrales extracraneales. Entre las variables analizadas figuraron: edad, sexo, maniobra de rotación cervical y velocidad diastólica final. Se emplearon la media y las proporciones como medidas de resumen, así como la prueba estadística de Ji al cuadrado de Friedman, con un nivel de significación de 0,05. Predominaron los afectados de 45-54 años en ambos sexos. Las maniobras de rotación cervical condujeron a una disminución en la velocidad diastólica final de las arterias vertebrales y redujeron el flujo sanguíneo arterial vertebral extracraneal.

A quasi-experimental study of 52 patients with vertebrobasilar failure, assisted in "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from September to March, 2014, in order to determine the effects of the cervical rotation maneuvers in the blood flow at the level of the extracraneal vertebral arteries. Among the analyzed variables there were: age, sex, maneuver of cervical rotation and final diastolic speed. The mean and proportions were used as summary measures, as well as the Friedman statistical Chi squared test, with a significance level of 0,05. The 45-54 years affected patients prevailed in both sexes. The cervical rotation maneuvers led to a decrease in the final diastolic speed of the vertebral arteries and reduced the extracraneal vertebral arterial blood flow.

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency caused by cervical aneurysmal bone cyst - case report / Insuficiência vertebrobasilar causada por cisto ósseo aneurismático cervical - relato de caso

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign bone tumors of relatively rare occurrence. Most of the lesions occur at long bones, vertebrae and flat bones. However, the cervical vertebrae involvement is uncommon. Occasionally, the ABCs compress the spinal cord and nerve roots. Depending on the level of involvement and the extent of spinal cord compression, a wide variety of neurological symptoms and signs may be noted later, ranging from mild radiculopathy to complete paraplegia or tetraplegia. A case of aneurysmal bone cyst involving the second and third cervical vertebrae in a 15 years old patient, causing compression of the right vertebral artery and subsequent vertebrobasilar insufficiency is reported. We also discuss the clinical manifestations of the vertebrobasilar insufficiency, of the spinal compression, and the surgery treatment performed in this case.

Cistos ósseos aneurismáticos são tumores ósseos benignos de ocorrência relativamente rara. A maior parte dessas lesões ocorre em ossos longos, nas vértebras e nos ossos planos. No entanto, o envolvimento das vértebras cervicais é incomum. Ocasionalmente, o cisto ósseo aneurismático pode comprimir a medula espinhal e as raízes nervosas. Dependendo do grau de envolvimento e extensão da compressão da medula espinhal, uma ampla variedade de sintomas e sinais neurológicos pode ser observada posteriormente, variando de radiculopatia suave a completa paraplegia ou tetraplegia. Relatamos um caso de cisto ósseo aneurismático envolvendo a segunda e a terceira vértebra cervical em um paciente de 15 anos, causando compressão da artéria vertebral direita e consequente insuficiência vertebrobasilar. Também discutimos as manifestações clínicas da insuficiência vertebrobasilar e da compressão espinhal e o tratamento cirúrgico realizado no caso em questão.

Treatment of symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis with stent-assistant angioplasty in the elderly

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of stent-assistant angioplasty (SAA) in the treatment of symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in the elderly. METHODS: SAA was performed in 26 elderly patients with symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. The success rate, perioperative complications, and long-term effectiveness were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 29 balloon expandable stents were implanted in these patients. The success ratio was 100%. The degree of stenosis decreased from 81.3 ± 8.8% to 3.7 ± 3.6% (p < 0.01). Complications were absent during the perioperative period. Follow-up was performed for seven to 36 months (median: 21.9 months). Two patients developed the recurrent symptoms of vertebrobasilar artery stenosis, and no cerebral ischemic events were noted in the remaining patients, suggesting a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: SAA is a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of symptomatic vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in the elderly.

Neurosífilis meningovascular con trombosis de la arteria basilar / Meningovascular neurosyphilis with basilar artery thrombosis, a case report and literature review

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 54 años, negativo para VIH, con enfermedad cerebrovascular por trombosis de la arteria basilar, secundaria a neurosífilis meningovascular. La neurosífilis es el compromiso del sistema nervioso central por Treponema pallidum subespecie pallidum en cualquier estadio de la entidad e incluye las formas asintomáticas y sintomáticas de la infección; sus formas de presentación son diversas y dependen de la localización y la extensión de las lesiones. La recomendación actual es el tratamiento con 4 millones de unidades de penicilina cristalina cada 4 horas por 14 días.

Herein a case is described of a 54-years old patient, HIV negative, with cerebro-vascular disease by basilar artery thrombosis secondary to meningovascular neurosyphilis. Neurosyphilis is the impairment at any stage of the central nervous system by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum and includes asymptomatic and symptomatic forms of infection. The presentation can take many forms, depending on the location and extent of tissue damage. The currently recommended treatment is crystalline penicillin, 4 million units every 4 hours for 14 days.

O uso de stents farmacológicos no tratamento da estenose das artérias vertebrais / Use of drug-eluting stents for the treatment of vertebral artery stenosis

OBJETIVO: Relatar a viabilidade e segurança da angioplastia transluminal percutânea com stents recobertos com paclitaxel para tratamento de estenose de artéria vertebral em 14 pacientes, após seguimento de dois anos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Catorze pacientes com idade média de 67,2 anos foram submetidos a tratamento endovascular mediante angioplastia percutânea e implante de stent farmacológico. O objetivo primário deste trabalho foi assegurar a segurança do procedimento. O desfecho secundário foi a eficácia clínica, definida como sintomas isquêmicos recorrentes e taxas de reestenose. RESULTADOS: O grau de estenose variou de 50 por cento a 99 por cento (média de 73,3 por cento ± 10,9). A taxa de sucesso técnico da angioplastia foi de 100 por cento. Não houve complicações diretamente relacionadas ao procedimento. Aos 24 meses de seguimento, nenhum paciente apresentou recorrência dos sintomas. A taxa de reestenose intra-stent foi de 7,1 por cento, embora tenha sido assintomática na totalidade dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que a angioplastia da artéria vertebral com o uso de stents recobertos com paclitaxel é uma técnica viável e promissora em termos de segurança e eficácia na prevenção da isquemia recorrente e reestenose.

OBJECTIVE: To report the feasibility and safety of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with paclitaxel-eluting stents for management of vertebral artery stenosis in 14 patients, after two-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with a mean age of 67.2 years were submitted to endovascular treatment with placement of paclitaxel-eluting stents. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety of the procedure. The clinical effectiveness was evaluated according to the rates of restenosis and recurrence of ischemic events. RESULTS: The initial stenosis degree ranged from 50 percent to 99 percent (mean, 73.3 percent ± 10.9 percent). The rate of technical success achieved 100 percent. Neither complications directly related to the procedure nor recurrence of symptoms were observed after 24-month follow-up. The rate of intra-stent restenosis was 7.1 percent, although asymptomatic in all the cases. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that vertebral artery angioplasty with paclitaxel-eluting stents is a feasible and promising technique in terms of safety and effectiveness in the prevention of recurrent ischemia and restenosis.

Avoiding pitfalls in diagnosing basilar artery occlusive disease: clinical and imaging clues - case report / Evitando erros no diagnóstico de doença oclusiva da artéria basilar: pistas clínicas e radiológicas - relato de caso

CONTEXT: The aim of this paper was to report on the characteristics that aid in establishing the diagnosis of basilar artery occlusive disease (BAOD) among patients with hemiparesis and few or minor symptoms of vertebrobasilar disease. CASE REPORT: This report describes two cases in a public university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. We present clinical and imaging findings from two patients with hemiparesis and severe BAOD, but without clinically relevant carotid artery disease (CAD). One patient presented transient ischemic attacks consisting of spells of right hemiparesis that became progressively more frequent, up to twice a week. The neurological examination revealed slight right hemiparesis and right homonymous hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed pontine and occipital infarcts. Magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography revealed severe basilar artery stenosis. The other patient presented sudden left-side hemiparesis and hypoesthesia. One year earlier, she had reported sudden onset of vertigo that, at that time, was attributed to peripheral vestibulopathy and was not further investigated. MRI showed a right-side pontine infarct and an old infarct in the right cerebellar hemisphere. Basilar artery occlusion was diagnosed. Both patients presented their symptoms while receiving aspirin, and became asymptomatic after treatment with warfarin. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosing asymptomatic CAD as the cause of symptoms in BAOD can have disastrous consequences, such as unnecessary carotid endarterectomy and exposure to this surgical risk while failing to offer the best available treatment for BAOD. Clinical and imaging features provided important clues for diagnosis in the cases presented.

CONTEXTO: O objetivo deste artigo foi de relatar as características que auxiliam no estabelecimento do diagnóstico da doença oclusiva da artéria basilar (DOAB) em pacientes com hemiparesia e poucos sintomas, ou sintomas leves de doença vertebrobasilar. RELATO DE CASO: Descrição de dois casos em um hospital público universitário em São Paulo, Brasil. Apresentamos características clínicas e radiológicas de dois pacientes com hemiparesia e DOAB grave, na ausência de doença carotídea (DCA) relevante. Um paciente apresentou ataques isquêmicos transitórios consistindo de hemiparesia direita transitória, que se tornaram progressivamente mais frequentes, até duas vezes por semana. O exame neurológico revelou hemiparesia direita e hemianopsia homônima direita. A ressonância magnética (RM) revelou infartos pontinos e occipitais. As angiografias por ressonância magnética e por subtração digital revelaram estenose grave da artéria basilar. Outra paciente apresentou hemiparesia e hipoestesia de instalação súbita, à esquerda. Um ano antes, ela havia apresentado vertigem súbita, na ocasião atribuída a vestibulopatia periférica, não investigada em maior profundidade. A RM mostrou infarto pontino à direita e infarto antigo no hemisfério cerebelar direito. Foi diagnosticada oclusão da artéria basilar. Ambos os pacientes apresentaram os sintomas enquanto faziam tratamento com aspirina, e se tornaram assintomáticos após tratamento com warfarina. CONCLUSÕES: O diagnóstico errôneo de DCA como causa de sintomas na DOAB pode ter conseqüências desastrosas, como a endarterectomia carotídea desnecessária e a exposição a tal risco cirúrgico, ao invés de oferecimento do melhor tratamento disponível para a DOAB. Características clínicas e radiológicas forneceram pistas importantes para o diagnóstico nos casos apresentados.

Endocardite infecciosa com apresentação inicial de abdome agudo / Infective endocarditis with initial presentation of acute abdomen

Paciente de 35 anos de idade foi atendido em Serviço de Emergência com seis horas de dor em fossa ilíaca direita e febre. Feita hipótese diagnóstica de apendicite aguda e realizada laparotomia exploradora. com apendicectomia. O paciente retornou ao hospital três dias após alta hospitalar. prostrado. febril. com alteração de fala. diminuição de nível de consciência e com hemiparesia completa à esquerda. CT scan de crânio e punção de líquor normal. RMN de encéfalo revelou aspectos compatíveis com AVC isquêmico vertebro-basilar. Ecocardiograma transesofágico demonstrou vegetação em valva aórtica e insuficiência aórtica moderada e hemoculturas foram positivas para Enterococcus bovis.

A 35-year-old patient was seen in an Emergency Department. with six hours of pain in the right iliac fossa and fever. The hypothesis diagnosis was acute appendicitis and an exploring laparotomy for appendectomy was carried out. The patient returned to the hospital three days after having been discharged. debilitated. feverish. having alterations in speech. reduction in the level of consciousness and complete hemiparesis to the left. The computed tomography scan of the skull and the liquor puncture were normal. Cerebral magnetic resonance image showed aspects compatible with vertebrobasilar ischemic stroke. Transesphofagic echocardiogram showed vegetation of the aortic valve and moderate aortic insufficiency. Blood cultures were positive for Enterococcus bovis.

Utilidad del Doppler en la evaluación de las arterias vertebrales: parte 2 / Utility of Doppler assessment in the study of vertebral arteries: part 2

Partiendo de la dificultad de evaluar completamente las arterias vertebrales, en esta parte del estudio se analizan técnicas de detección de patologías vertebrales como estenosis y oclusiones; siendo que aún no está establecida la utilidad del Doppler en la detección de estenosis y su gradación.

Oligosymptomatic and giant basilar artery dolichoectasia discovered after a stroke: case report

The most frequently diagnosed complication of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is the compression of structures adjacent to the vertebral and basilar arteries. A giant VBD with only slight compressive symptoms is unusual. In this setting, the diagnosis of VBD may be casually revealed after the occurrence of a posterior circulation stroke, another potential complication. We report a 48-year-old woman who presented a two-month history of continuous buzz and a slight right-sided hearing loss that was followed by a cerebellar ischemic stroke. Brain CT and MRI revealed a marked compression of the brainstem due to an ectatic, tortuous and partially thrombosed basilar artery (BA). The largest cross-sectional diameter of BA was 18 mm. The patient had a good functional recovery within the two-month follow-up after stroke with modified Rankin scale score (mRSS)=2. At the one-year follow-up, patient still kept the complaints of continuous buzz, slight right-sided hearing loss and the mRSS was the same. We call attention for an unusual giant VBD that caused an impressive brainstem compression with displacement of important structures in an oligosymptomatic patient. Diagnosis was made only after the occurrence of a stroke. Despite of the good functional recovery after stroke, the presence of significant atherosclerotic changes and the large BA diameter may indicate a poor outcome. However, after one year, she remains oligosymptomatic.

A complicação mais freqüentemente encontrada na dolicoectasia vertebrobasilar (DVB) é a compressão de estruturas adjacentes às artérias vertebrais e à artéria basilar. Uma DVB gigante apenas com sintomas compressivos leves é infreqüente. Nesse caso, o diagnóstico pode ser descoberto ao acaso após uma isquemia da circulação posterior, outra complicação possível da DVB. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher de 48 anos com história de zumbido e perda auditiva leve a direita por 2 meses, desenvolvendo, a seguir, uma isquemia cerebelar. A tomografia e a ressonância magnética demonstraram uma compressão acentuada do tronco cerebral devido a uma artéria basilar (AB) ectásica, tortuosa e preenchida parcialmente por trombo. O maior diâmetro axial da AB tinha 18 mm. A paciente apresentou boa recuperação funcional dentro dos primeiros dois meses após a isquemia, com escore de Rankin modificado (ERM)=2. Após um ano, a paciente ainda mantinha as queixas de zumbido e perda auditiva leve à direita, e o ERM ainda se mantinha=2. Chamamos a atenção para um caso raro de DVB gigante que causou impressionante compressão do tronco cerebral, com deslocamento de importantes estruturas, numa paciente oligossintomática. O diagnóstico só foi realizado após a ocorrência da isquemia. Apesar da boa recuperação funcional inicialmente observada, a presença de alterações ateroscleróticas e o grande diâmetro da AB podem indicar um prognóstico ruim. Contudo, após um ano a paciente ainda se mantinha oligossintomática.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo associated with arterial occlusive disease: three case reports and literature review

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo (SSNHLV) has multifactorial causes, of which viral, autoimmune and vascular insufficiency are the most common. The therapeutic management for SSNHLV includes antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, vasodilators, normovolemic hemodilution therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Vertebrobasilar occlusive disease and carotid occlusive disease are seldom related to SSNHLV. Discussions concerning SSNHLV caused by occlusive vascular disease are important and necessary for both neurologists and otolaryngologists, since their therapeutic management and prognosis are very different from other causes of hearing loss and vertigo. Here, we present our experience with three cases managed with interventional treatment and conduct a review and discussion on the relevant literature. We conclude that investigation of vertebrobasilar and carotid occlusive diseases is necessary in patients over 50 years of age who present SSNHLV, mild neurological symptoms and a history of arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure or thrombosis.

Surdez sensorioneural súbita e vertigem súbita (SSNVS) podem ter múltiplas causas, e a infecção virótica, a doença autoimune e a insuficiência vascular são as mais comuns. O tratamento da SSNVS inclui drogas antiviróticas, corticosteróides, vasodilatores, terapia de hemodiluição normovolêmica e terapia hiperbárica. Raramente são relacionadas como causa a doença vertebrobasilar oclusiva e a doença carotídea oclusiva. Discutir SSNVS é importante e necessário para neurologistas e otolaringologistas, uma vez que a terapia e o prognóstico são muito diferentes conforme a etiologia. Apresentamos nossa experiência com três casos em que foi administrado tratamento intervencional para SSNVS de causa oclusiva em grandes vasos e apresentamos uma revisão e discussão da literatura pertinente. Concluímos que a investigação de doenças oclusivas vertebrobasilar e carotídea é necessária em pacientes acima dos 50 anos de idade com SSNVS, sintomas neurológicos moderados e uma história de arteriosclerose, pressão alta ou trombose.

Isolated pathetick nerve paresis by compression from a dolichoectatic basilar artery: case report

The article describes a woman with 53 year-old that has presented diplopia when looking down and adopted a tilted head position in order to read for the last six months. The neuro-ophthalmic examination shows isolated right superior oblique muscle paresis. The magnetic resonance and the angioresonance show the dolicoectatic basilar artery compressing the right ventral lateral brainstem.

O artigo descreve uma mulher de 53 anos que há seis meses apresenta diplopia ao olhar para baixo, além de adotar postura inclinada da cabeça para ler. O exame neuro-oftalmológico revelou paresia isolada do músculo oblíquo superior direito. Os exames de ressonância magnética e angioressonância evidenciaram dolicoectasia da artéria basilar, que comprimia a face ventral lateral direita do tronco cerebral.

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia: the role of microvascular decompression. Case report

O objetivo desse estudo é relatar um caso de neuralgia trigeminal causado por dolicoectasia vertebrobasilar tratado com descompressão microvascular. Um homem (63 anos) consultou por neuralgia trigeminal recorrente na hemiface esquerda (territórios V2 e V3). A angiotomografia cerebral revelou compressão mecânica do nervo trigêmio esquerdo devido à dolicoectasia vertebrobasilar. O paciente foi submetido à craniotomia suboccipital esquerda. Introduziu-se Teflon® na área de conflito neurovascular, obtendo-se uma descompressão satisfatória. O paciente apresentou remissão da dor imediatamente. A dolicoectasia vertebrobasilar é uma causa rara de neuralgia trigeminal e uma excelente evolução pode ser alcançada com a descompressão microvascular.

Infarto múltiple del territorio vertebrobasilar por angitis primaria del sistema nervioso central, reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Multiple infarct of the territory to vertebrobasilar by primary angiitis of the central nervous system, report of a case and revision of literature

Introducción: La vasculitis del sistema nervioso central (SNC) se clasifica como primaria o secundaria. La vasculitis primaria o angitis primaria del sistema nervioso central (APSNC) es poco frecuente, tiene una clínica variable y representa un reto diagnóstico. La vasculitis secundaria es debida a una variedad de desórdenes. Reporte de Caso: Paciente varón de 67 años con proceso de inicio brusco, caracterizado por inestabilidad para la marcha, cefalea y vómitos, seguido de disminución de agudeza visual y somnolencia. La exploración clínica reveló: paciente despierto, parcialmente orientado, hemianopsia homónima izquierda, tono muscular disminuido en hemicuerpo izquierdo, hemihipoestesia superficial y profunda derecha; dismetría, discronometría y disdiadococinesia izquierda, signo de Romberg presente. Los exámenes de líquido cefalorraquídeo, resonancia magnética cerebral y angiografía cerebral fueron anormales. Conclusión: El presente caso de angitis primaria del sistema nervioso (APSNC) se manifestó como infarto múltiple del territorio vértebrobasilar en el cual destaca la localización y evolución favorable. Se hace una revisión de la literatura.