Occipito-Vertebral Anastomosis; Its Clinical Significance

Abstract

A patient with an occipito-vertebral anastomosis associated with interesting clinical symptoms is presented. This 38-year-old male had a history of recurrent and reversible ischemic episodes of the vertebro-basilar system for more than 10 years. Surgical obliteration of this abnormal anastomotic channel resulted in gradual improvement of most of his clinical symptoms. The steal phenomenon of blood supply from the vertebro-basilar system to the external carotid artery via the anastomotic channel was thought to be responsible for clinical symptoms.