MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY OF VERTEBROBASILAR DOLICHOECTASIA

We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance a ngiography (MRA) in 16 patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (V BD). Five patients had compressive cranial nerve deficits and 11 patie nts presented with transient or permanent ischemic deficits related to the vertebrobasilar system. VBD did not present with distinct clinica l findings and no clear correlation between basilar artery ectasia and the presence of compression syndrome or ischemic symptoms was found. MRI and MRA provided conclusive diagnostic information about vascular structures and neural tissues in a single examination. MRA was superio r to other cross-section modalities, including MR spin echo sequence a nd computed tomography (CT) for measuring the diameter of the basilar artery, and improved the assessment of compromised flow. MRI and MRA a re recommended as the primary neuroradiological procedures in patients with VBD.