Anomalous Vertebral Artery During Cranio Vertebral Junction Surgery Using DCER (Distraction, Compression, Extension,...

Vertebral artery (VA) may run an anomalous course in congenital craniovertebral junction anomalies. Anomalous VA, though rare, is challenging to handle. An anomalous VA can get injured during exposure of craniovertebral junction, even in the experienced hands.

The objective of this article was to describe the technique of repairing the VA in case of its damage during exposure in the craniovertebral junction (atlantoaxial dislocation [AAD] with basilar invagination [BI]).

The authors describe a case of VA artery injury in a case of severe BI & AAD, which was anomalous and coursing over the joints. Following the repair of injured VA, we proceeded with the surgery (distraction, compression, extension, and reduction [DCER]).

To avoid injury, it is important to always perform a CT 3-D angiogram, perform meticulous dissection under the microscope while exposing the joints, use variable impedance bipolar to control venous bleeding and always expose the side with non-dominant VA first.