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Intractable vomiting caused by vertebral artery compressing the medulla: A case report
Lauren Gorton1, Ahmed M Ashour1, Jonathon Lebovitz1
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States of America.
Journal of Craniovertebral Junction & Spine
|May 15, 2015
Summary
Vertebral artery compression of the medulla caused severe vomiting in a patient. Microvascular decompression surgery successfully treated the condition, reversing symptoms and leading to significant weight recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Intractable vomiting can be a debilitating symptom with various potential causes.
- Compression of the brainstem by vascular structures is a rare etiology for neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old woman presented with intractable nausea and vomiting, leading to a 50-pound weight loss.
- Medical management failed to alleviate her persistent symptoms.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms were attributed to vertebral artery compression of the medulla.
- Surgical intervention with microvascular decompression (MVD) resulted in complete reversal of her nausea and vomiting.
Implications:
- This case highlights MVD as a potentially curative treatment for drug-resistant vomiting caused by vertebral artery compression.
- Further research may elucidate the prevalence and optimal management of this rare neurological condition.
