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Rotational obstruction of the vertebral artery at the atlantoaxial joint

Obstruction de l'artère vertébrale a la jonction atloidoaxoidienne par rotation de la tête

Rotationsbedingte Obstruktion der Vertebralarterie in Höhe des atlantoaxialen Gelenkes

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Summary

Two patients with vertebrobasilar ischemia are described in whom angiography demonstrated obstruction of one vertebral artery at the C1–2 level on rotation of the head. The possible anatomical explanation and physiological significance of this finding are discussed.

Résumé

Deux cas d'ischemie vertébrobasilaire par rotation de la tête ont été démontres par artériographie. L'ischemie était produite par une obstruction externe au niveau des deux premières vertèbres cervicales. Les raisons anatomiques possibles aussi bien que la signification physiologique de ces troubles sont analysées.

Zusammenfassung

In zwei Patienten mit vertebrobasilarer Ischiämie wurde angiographisch bei Rotation des Kopfes eine Obstruktion der Vertebralarterie in Höhe von C1–2 nachgewiesen. Es wird die mögliche anatomische Erklärung und physiologische Bedeutung dieses Befundes diskutiert.

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Barton, J.W., Margolis, M.T. Rotational obstruction of the vertebral artery at the atlantoaxial joint. Neuroradiology 9, 117–120 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00332957

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00332957

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