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Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency (VBI)

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Synonyms

Vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic disease; Vertebrobasilar ischemia; Vertebrobasilar stenosis

Definition

  • TIA (transient ischemic attacks): short transient neurological deficits caused by vascular insufficiency

  • Horner’s syndrome: miosis (smaller pupil), mydriasis (decreased sweating), ptosis (drooping of eyelids) due to insult to sympathetic chain

Introduction

VBI refers to a cerebrovascular event most likely due to ischemia in the posterior circulation territory. When vertigo in the setting of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) occurs in an elderly patient with multiple vascular risk factors, VBI should be considered in the differentials. VBI when not treated promptly can turn into a full-blown infarct with devastating consequences.

Pathophysiology

VBI is usually due to ischemia from an atherosclerotic process but embolic phenomena can cause infarction in vertebrobasilar territory in 9–40% of reported cases. The vertebrobasilar bed appears less susceptible than carotid...

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References

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Correspondence to Hwa J. Son M.D. .

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© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Son, H.J. (2013). Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency (VBI). In: Kountakis, S.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_753

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23499-6_753

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-23498-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-23499-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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