J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2009 Nov;46(5):498-500. 10.3340/jkns.2009.46.5.498.

Concomitant Dual Origin and Fenestration of the Left Vertebral Artery Resembling Dissection

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. kimdw@wku.ac.kr

Abstract

Dual origin and fenestration of the vertebral artery (VA) are very rare anomalies. Understanding of these variations, however, is important because they can be misdiagnosed as a VA dissection. A 42-year-old woman presented with motor weakness and sensory disturbance of the right upper extremity. Radiologic evaluations showed ectatic change in the right VA and an arteriovenous fistula between the right VA and the vertebral vein. We decided on endovascular occlusion of the proximal right VA and its fistulous portion. During the endovascular procedure, we had misunderstood the dual origin and fenestration of the VA as a dissection. Thus, failure to recognize these anomalies might result in unnecessary anticoagulation or therapeutic intervention. Clinicians should be alert to such VA variations when making a diagnosis and when planning any intervention or surgery involving the proximal VA.

Keyword

Dissection; Dual origin; Fenestration; Vertebral artery

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arteriovenous Fistula
Endovascular Procedures
Female
Humans
Upper Extremity
Veins
Vertebral Artery
Full Text Links
  • JKNS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr