Fenestrate Anomaly of a Vertebral Artery with Repeated Attacks of Ischemic Stroke

ABSTRACT

In angiographic examinations, abnormalities of vertebral arteries are incidental findings because they are, in most of cases, clinically asymptomatic. We report a case of young woman with a fenestrated anomaly of the left vertebral artery with ischemic strokes. The patient was suffered from repeated attacks of transient ishemic attack(TIA) and cerebral infarction. Vertebral angiography demonstrated a fenestrated anomaly of the left vertebral artery and a large intraluminal thrombus was detected at just proximal of the fenestration. Proximal balloon occlusion of the involved vertebral artery was done and the patient became free from ischemic attack. Follow-up angiography showed well visualization of the posterior circulation through right vertebral artery and the ballooned vertebral artery was well occluded. The left posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA) was filled well via collateral circulation from the opposite side.