ASSESSMENT OF CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW AND METABOLISM IN VERTEBROBASILAR INSUFFICIENCY WITH (133)XENON AND O-15 INHALATION METHODS

Assessment of hemodynamic parameters in patients who had transient bas ilar symptoms suggesting vertebrobasilar insufficiency requires a syst ematic and accurate detection of brainstem or cerebellar infarcts. Our aim was to detect with (133)Xenon and O-15(2) inhalation methods, a l ow flow state underlying vertebrobasilar insufficiency in a patient wh o had no impairment of cerebrovascular control related to infarction o f brainstem or cerebellum. A woman with intermittent vertebrobasilar s ymptoms had an angiogram, magnetic resonance imaging and evaluation of hemodynamic parameters with vertebrobasilar circulation with (133)Xen on inhalation and O-15 inhalation methods MRI failed to show any borde r-zone or territorial infarcts or degenerative disease. Angiographic s tudy showed significant arterial lesion involving vertebrobasilar vess els. A decrease of blood flow within vertebrobasilar circulation was o bserved according to (133)Xenon and O-15 inhalation methods. These pre liminary results support the view that significant arterial changes wi thin the vertebrobasilar system might account for a low flow state. O- 15(2) inhalation method might be in agreement with a previous study pe rformed in vertebrobasilar insufficiency with (133)Xenon inhalation me thod.