Vertebral artery loop

Case contributed by Mostafa Elfeky
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Left-sided lower neck and shoulder pain.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Male

Cervical spine

mri

Left vertebral artery loop extending thorough left C3/4 exit foramen.

C2 rounded vertebral body high T2 area with iso- to hyper-intense signal on T1, likely vertebral body hemangioma.

Case Discussion

Vertebral artery loop extending through an exit foramen is an anatomical variant that can compress the exiting nerve root resulting in neuropathy along the supplied part. 

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