Extracranial Vertebral Artery Aneurysm Presenting as a Chronic Cervical Mass Lesion

• Main Authors: Lampis C. Stavrinou, George Stranjalis, Pantelis C. Stavrinou, N. Bontozoglou, Damianos E. Sakas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2010-01-01
• Series: Case Reports in Medicine
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/938219

Background. Aneurysms of the extracranial vertebral artery are rare and can provide a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Methods. We reviewed the clinical history of a patient presenting with cervical radiculopathy, who harboured an extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm eroding the cervical spine. Results. CT Angiography and MR Angiography set the diagnosis, by revealing a left C5-C6 vertebral artery aneurysm with cervical root impingement. Bony reconstruction depicted enlargement of the C6 transverse foramen and a marked enlargement of the C6-C7 intravertebral foramen. The lesion was treated by intravascular proximal vertebral artery occlusion. Conclusions. Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms require a high index of clinical suspicion. This is the first report of a vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with bony erosion, which supports a less minacious portrayal of vertebral artery aneurysms.