Rotational vertebral artery syndrome: oculographic analysis of nystagmus

Neurology. 2005 Oct 25;65(8):1287-90. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000180405.00560.51.

Abstract

In four patients with rotational vertebral artery syndrome (RVAS), the initial nystagmus was mostly downbeat, with the horizontal and torsional components beating toward the compressed vertebral artery side (n = 3) or directed away (n = 1). Three patients showed spontaneous reversal of the nystagmus and two exhibited no or markedly diminished responses on immediate retrial of head rotation (habituation). The patterns of nystagmus suggest that RVAS may result from differing mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Axis, Cervical Vertebra / diagnostic imaging
  • Axis, Cervical Vertebra / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cervical Atlas / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Atlas / physiopathology
  • Electrodiagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / complications*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / diagnostic imaging
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / diagnosis
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / etiology*
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / physiopathology
  • Oculomotor Muscles / innervation
  • Oculomotor Muscles / physiopathology
  • Rotation / adverse effects
  • Vertebral Artery / abnormalities*
  • Vertebral Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Vertebral Artery / pathology*
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / complications*
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / diagnosis
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / etiology
  • Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Vestibular Nuclei / blood supply
  • Vestibular Nuclei / physiopathology