Cervical disc rupture causing vertebrobasilar insufficiency

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Surgery
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Cervical disc herniation is a common condition, but its association with vertebrobasilar stroke is rare.
• Extrinsic compression of the vertebral artery by cervical structures can lead to reduced cerebral blood flow.
• Transient ischemic attacks and infarction in the posterior circulation are serious neurological events.

Observation:

• A patient presented with symptoms of vertebrobasilar transient ischemia.
• Cerebral infarction in the posterior circulation (posterior cerebral infarction) was diagnosed.
• The underlying cause was identified as a ruptured cervical disc compressing the vertebral artery.

Findings:

• The ruptured cervical disc was the direct cause of extrinsic vertebral artery compression.
• This compression led to transient ischemic events and a completed stroke in the posterior cerebral artery territory.
• Review of literature identified other causes of extrinsic vertebral artery compression.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering cervical disc pathology in the differential diagnosis of posterior circulation stroke.
• Early diagnosis and management of cervical disc-related vertebral artery compression may prevent further ischemic events.
• Further research into the biomechanics of cervical disc-induced vertebral artery compression is warranted.