DISTAL LIGATION AND REVASCULARIZATION FROM EXTERNAL CAROTID TO VERTEBRAL ARTERY WITH RADIAL ARTERY GRAFT FOR TREATMENT OF EXTRACRANIAL VERTEBRAL ARTERY DISSECTION - REPORT OF A CASE

We present a case of dissection of the extracranial vertebral artery w ith prominent occipital pain and elements of the lateral medullary syn drome. Arteriography showed a string and pearl sign. Magnetic resonanc e imaging allowed visualization of an intramural thrombus associated w ith a narrow vascular lumen. The distal portion of the diseased artery was ligated and vascular reconstruction using an interposed radial ar tery graft was performed. Pathological studies confirmed the diagnosis . The diagnostic roles of angiography and magnetic resonance imaging, and therapeutic strategies are discussed.