Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Elfeky M, Knipe H, et al. Vertebral artery loop. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-61571
Vertebral artery loops occur when a portion of the vertebral artery contains an unusual coil. It can be a rare anatomical variant or can be acquired.
Vertebral artery loops tend to be mostly diagnosed in the 5th and 6th decades. Its prevalence is uncertain but is thought to be present in <3% of patients 2.
Its exact etiology is uncertain. Some propose an association with spondylotic changes or trauma, whilst others suggest hypertension and atherosclerosis may be responsible 2.
It can be capable of causing bony erosion, encroachment on the cervical neural exit foramen, neurovascular compression, or vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
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1. Doweidar A, Al-Sayed S, Al-Kandery S. Symptomatic vertebral artery loop: a case report and review of literature. (2014) Journal of radiology case reports. 8 (5): 35-41. doi:10.3941/jrcr.v8i5.1407 - Pubmed
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2. Wood L, Czyz M, Forster S, Boszczyk BM. The diagnosis and management of a vertebral artery loop causing cervical radiculopathy. (2017) European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society. doi:10.1007/s00586-017-5123-6 - Pubmed
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5. Korinth MC, Mull M. Vertebral artery loop causing cervical radiculopathy. (2007) Surgical neurology. 67 (2): 172-3. doi:10.1016/j.surneu.2006.03.047 - Pubmed
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6. Kim HS, Lee JH, Cheh G, Lee SH. Cervical radiculopathy caused by vertebral artery loop formation : a case report and review of the literature. (2010) Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society. 48 (5): 465-8. doi:10.3340/jkns.2010.48.5.465 - Pubmed
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7. Detwiler PW, Porter RW, Harrington TR, Sonntag VK, Spetzler RF. Vascular decompression of a vertebral artery loop producing cervical radiculopathy. Case report. (1998) Journal of neurosurgery. 89 (3): 485-8. doi:10.3171/jns.1998.89.3.0485 - Pubmed
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8. Sakaida H, Okada M, Yamamoto A. Vascular reconstruction of a vertebral artery loop causing cervical radiculopathy and vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Case report. (2001) Journal of neurosurgery. 94 (1 Suppl): 145-9. Pubmed
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9. Ju CI, Kim JM, Kim JG, Kim SW, Lee SM. A New Sling Technique in Cervical Radiculopathy Caused by Vertebral Artery Loop Compression. (2017) World neurosurgery. 104: 1049.e11-1049.e15. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2017.05.090 - Pubmed
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