A rare case of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia presenting with ipsilateral facial paresis and concomitant severe sensorineural hearing loss

ABSTRACT

@#p style=text-align: left;strongOBJECTIVE:/strong To report a case of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia presenting with ipsilateral facial nerve paresis and concomitant severe sensorineural hearing loss.METHODS/strong:br /strongDesign:/strong Case Reportbr /strongSetting:/strong Secondary Government Hospitalbr /strongPatient:/strong One RESULTS:/strong We report a case of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia with concomitant ipsilateral facial nerve paresis and severe sensorineural hearing loss in an elderly female. She presented to us with left facial nerve palsy House-Brackmann Grade III and prior history of ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss. MRI of the brain showed normal inner ear structures but revealed a dilated and tortuous basilar artery with compression on the left medulla and possible branches of anterior inferior cerebellar artery as it coursed superiorly and possible partial thrombosis of proximal basilar artery.CONCLUSION:/strong Concomitant facial nerve paresis and sensorineural hearing loss can be the clinical presentations of this rare but important condition. MRI is vital in diagnosing vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia./p