Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) (Expert Forum)
diminutive vertebral artery
Answered by
Lee Kirksey, MD - Peripheral Arterial Disease, PAD, Cardiovascular Disease, stroke, treatment, angioplasty, spider veins, laser ablation, wound treatment, surgery, leg pain, Prevention, Varicose veins
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center of the Univ. of Pennsylvania Healthcare Clinical Assistant Professor at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia - PA
Questions in the Peripheral Arterial Disease forum are answered by Dr. Lee Kirksey, associate professor at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Topics covered include abdominal aortic aneurysm , amputation, arteriovenous fistula, atherectomy, carotid artery surgery , cholesterol , claudication, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) , endovascular aortic stent graft (EVAR), stent placement , stroke prevention, varicose veins , and venous insufficiency .
diminutive vertebral artery
by Kim867, May 24, 2008 03:19PM
Hi - I am a 29 yr old female with a history of coarctation of aorta, repaired 15 yrs ago. I also have a bicuspid aortic valve which is unrepaired.
I have been seeing a physical therapist for the past 3 months for a headache which won't go away! It's at the back of my head, at the base of skull.
About 2 weeks ago, during some neck rotations I nearly fainted. The physiast told me it's technical term was "vasovagal pre-syncope".
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was sent for an MRA. The report states "The entire visualized left vertebral artery is developmentally diminutive and the corresponding right vertebral artery is developmentally dominant".
1. Could you explain the consequences of the above findings?
2. Also, does this explain my constant headaches?
I appreciate your assistance, thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Lee Kirksey, MD, May 24, 2008 10:11PM
, May 24, 2008 10:11PMTo: kim867
Hello
60% of people have a discrepancy in vertebral artery size with a dominant rt or left verterbral and an atrophic or diminutive opposite vertebral. It is unlikely that this congenital finding present since early in your life is responsible for your headache.
The primary circulation to the brain is provided thru the carotid vessels in the anterior brain. It would be very difficult to cause a blockage of these vessels transiently that would produce fainting. Transient occlusion of the dominant vertebral should cause an unstable gait, not fainting. Your therapist is probably correct re: the cause although it would probably be a good idea to have your pcp give you the once over if you plan to continue with therapy.
Good luck with determining the cause of your headaches
60% of people have a discrepancy in vertebral artery size with a dominant rt or left verterbral and an atrophic or diminutive opposite vertebral. It is unlikely that this congenital finding present since early in your life is responsible for your headache.
The primary circulation to the brain is provided thru the carotid vessels in the anterior brain. It would be very difficult to cause a blockage of these vessels transiently that would produce fainting. Transient occlusion of the dominant vertebral should cause an unstable gait, not fainting. Your therapist is probably correct re: the cause although it would probably be a good idea to have your pcp give you the once over if you plan to continue with therapy.
Good luck with determining the cause of your headaches
Member Comments (1)
by tammy44, Aug 29, 2008 01:41AM
A related discussion, help me i am scared to death was started.
