MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF ECTATIC VERTEBRAL ARTERY

In the cervical spine, routine and contrast magnetic resonance (MR)-an d computed tomography (CT)-based studies may fail to differentiate bet ween an ectatic vertebral artery and a solid foraminal mass. A complet e cervical and lumbar Myelo-CT scan in a 67-year-old female with lumba r stenosis revealed an incidental, left-sided C3-C4 foraminal mass. A vascular lesion was suspected when the MR study revealed the lesion to be a signal void. MR angiography confirmed an ectatic C3-C4 vertebral artery loop. The possibility of a vertebral artery anomaly should be considered in patients with asymptomatic lateral and foraminal cervica l lesions on CT studies. In these patients, routine MR and MR angiogra phy are necessary to demonstrate the status of the vertebral artery in the foramen.