Clinical value of MRA of vertebral artery in etiological diagnosis of patients with vertigo

Objective To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) of vertebral artery in etiological diagnosis of patients with vertigo.Methods A total of 52 blackout patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency vertigo were diagnosed clinically.All the patients were examined by MRA to investigate the tracks,diameters,and stenosis locations of vertebral arteries.Results MRA positive of vertebral artery were in 38 patients,and negative in 14 patients.Among MRA positive patients,there were obstruction of vertebral artery in 3 cases,narrow lumen in 13 cases,localized stenosis in 15 cases,and circuity in 7 cases.Furthermore,some patients were also examined by digital subtraction angiography(DSA).The full accordance of both methods in the diagnosis of thin veterbral artery was 70.59%.Conclusions As a noninvasive method,MRA was a useful tool in diagnosing vertebral artery stenosis and obstruction,and especially available for diagnosis and treatment of patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency.