Can vertebrobasilar insufficiency cause headaches?

Introduction Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is defined as transitory ischemia of the vertebrobasilar circulation. Dizziness, vertigo, headaches, vomit, diplopia, blindness, ataxia, imbalance, and weakness in both sides of the body are the most common symptoms.

Is vertebrobasilar insufficiency a stroke?

The narrowing of the vertebral or basilar arteries caused by atherosclerosis creates vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI), or an insufficient delivery of blood flow to the posterior structures of the brain. Patients with vertebrobasilar disease are at increased risk for transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke.

What is bowhunter syndrome?

Bow hunter syndrome (BHS) is an uncommon cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency that results from occlusion or injury to the vertebral artery (VA) during neck rotation. • The cause is often a bony abnormality that may compress the VA compromising distal flow or lead to vessel wall injury resulting in thromboembolism.

What is vertebral artery compression syndrome?

DISCUSSION. BHS is syndrome characterized by symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and blurred vision when the patient rotates his neck. BHS is defined as symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency by a mechanical occlusion of the vertebral artery during head rotation9).

What to do about transient vertebrobasilar insufficiency in neck?

There are also reports of lateral disc herniation producing a similar degree of positional arterial narrowing and transient symptoms. The surgical treatment of the upper cervical spine or neck is required if the artery is being kinked by head turning in this region.

What are the causes of vertebrobasilar insufficiency ( VBI )?

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) is a hemodynamic posterior circulation transient ischemic attack (TIA) caused by intermittent vertebral artery occlusion that is induced by a head rotation or extension. VBI may result from large vessel atherosclerotic disease, dissection, cervical compressive lesions, and subclavian steal phenomenon.

When does vertebrobasilar ischemia occur after neck motion?

Vertebrobasilar Ischemia After Neck Motion Giovanni B. Frisoni, MD, and Gian Paolo Anzola, MD Background. Vertebrobasilar ischemic strokes may occur after chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine or, less often, after spontaneous and abrupt head movement.

Do you need decompression surgery for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?

In this group of patients, it would not take much by way of neck rotation compression to cut off blood flow to the brain in arteries that are internally clogged. Here surgeons may see more of an urgency to recommend decompression surgery. But what if you did not have high blood pressure, diabetes, and were not overweight?