Vertebral- basilar artery insufficiency (inadequate blood flow to the back of the brain)

Description Insufficient blood ...

Description

Insufficient blood flow to the cerebellum and mid brain. The vertebral arteries feed into the basilar artery. They supply blood to the cerebellum and mid brain. Decreased blood flow in this area causes balance problems, room spinning, double vision and difficulty speaking. These blood vessels can be blocked from atherosclerosis, an arterial dissection, or an embolus (a blood clot from the heart that breaks loose and lodges in the vertebral or basilar artery). Atrial fibrillation is the most cause of emboli travelling from the heart to an artery.

Symptoms

Loss of vision, particularly affecting the same part of the visual field on both eyes, double vision, vertigo (sensation of things spinning around), numbness or tingling, nausea and vomiting, difficulty swallowing, problems with balance, poor coordination, headache, neck ache, loss of hearing, slurred speech.

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. A CTA (a type of CT scan) or MRA (a type of MRI) of the head and neck will usually be done to establish the diagnosis.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-ray

Other Specific Tests: Neck CTA, Neck MRA, echocardiogram, PT (Protime), PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)

Specialists:
Neurology

Treatment

Therapy is divided into emergency treatment, and the prevention of recurrences. Treatment of acute symptoms may include: anti-platelet medications (aspirin, clopidogrel/Plavix), heparin, blood pressure medications, and/or thrombolytics. Thrombolytics or clot busting medications can only be given if patients are diagnosed within several hours of their first symptoms. Prevention of the disorder involves controlling blood pressure, treating elevated cholesterol, and not smoking.