Cervicogenic vertigo treated by c1 transverse foramen decompression : a case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Neurology

Background:

• Cervicogenic vertigo, previously termed Bow Hunter's Syndrome, is often linked to vertebral artery compression.
• Vertebral artery occlusion can lead to vertebrobasilar insufficiency, manifesting as vertigo.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of cervicogenic vertigo successfully treated by surgical decompression.
• To evaluate the efficacy of simple decompression of the C1 transverse foramen for vertebral artery compression.

Main Methods:

• A 48-year-old female patient with vertigo upon right head rotation underwent angiography.
• Angiography revealed left vertebral artery occlusion during head rotation.
• Surgical decompression involved resecting the posterior wall of the C1 transverse foramen to expose and decompress the vertebral artery.

Main Results:

• Post-surgery, the patient's vertigo resolved completely.
• Follow-up angiography confirmed a patent left vertebral artery during right head rotation.
• The procedure demonstrated successful restoration of blood flow and symptom relief.

Conclusions:

• Simple decompression of the cervical vertebral artery, particularly at the C1 level, is an effective treatment for cervicogenic vertigo.
• This surgical approach avoids the need for spinal fusion or instrumentation.
• Targeting the C1 transverse foramen offers a minimally invasive solution for vertebral artery compression-induced vertigo.