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Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders - Symptom

Alternative Names

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency; Posterior circulation ischemia

Symptoms:

Difficulty keeping your balance
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty walking
Double vision or vision loss
Headache
Hearing loss
Nausea and vomiting
Neck ache
Numbness or tingling
Poor coordination
Sleepiness or even apparent sleep from which the person can not be awakened
Slurred speech
Stroke or transient ischemic attack
Vertigo (sensation of things spinning around)

Signs and tests:

Tests depend on the possible underlying cause, but may include:

CT or MRI of the brain
Computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or ultrasound to look at blood vessels in the brain
Blood tests, including blood clotting studies
Echocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitor
Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) -- rarely needed
X-rays of the arteries ( angiogram)

Vertebral column

Arteries of the brain

Reviewed last on: 9/27/2008
Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Lewandowski CA, Rao CPV, Silver B. Transient ischemic attack: definitions and clinical presentations. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2008 Aug;52(2).

Love BB, Biller J. Neurovascular system. In: Goetz, CG, eds. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 22.

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