Symptomatic vertebral artery loop: a case report and review of literature

Vertebral artery loop formation is a rare anatomical variant capable of causing bony erosion, encroachment on cervical neural foramen, neurovascular compression, or vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Health professionals should keep the diagnosis of vertebral artery loop formation in mind, especially when the plain radiograph of the cervical spine shows enlargement of the intervertebral foramen. If overlooked, serious complications like vertebral artery injury may occur during surgery or vertebrobasilar angiography, as well as cerebrovascular stroke during transforaminal cervical epidural steroid injections. This case report aims at increasing the awareness of both clinicians and radiologists of this entity as a known rare cause of cervical radiculopathy. In suspected cases, Magnetic resonance imaging & Magnetic resonance angiography should always be the first choice in this regard.