Clinical and MRA Manifestations of Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) features of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia(VBD),and to improve the understanding of VBD.Methods Clinical data of 128 patients with VBD were retrospectively analyzed and clinical manifestations and MRA features of VBD were summarized.Results The clinical manifestations of VBD were diverse and the main symptoms included ischemic cerebrovascular disease(85 cases),brain stem nerve compression damage(26 cases),hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease(11 cases) and hydrocephalus(6 cases).The mean diameter and length of the basilar artery were 4.9(4.5-5.4) mm and 34.5(30-39) mm,respectively.The mean diameter length of lateral deviation perpendicular to a straight line joining the basilar artery origin to its bifurcation was 11.2(10.5-15.1) mm.Conclusion The stroke is the initial manifestation of VBD,which is a major cause of death and disability.MRI is very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of VBD.