Resolution of intractable retching following mobilization of a dolichoectatic vertebral artery: case report of a unique brainstem–cranial nerve compression syndrome

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 53-year-old man who was referred with disabling retching provoked by left arm abduction. At the time of his initial evaluation, a cervical MRI study was available for review and revealed an anatomical variation of the ipsilateral juxtamedullary vertebrobasilar junction. After brain imaging revealed contact of the medulla by a dolichoectatic vertebral artery at the dorsal root entry zone of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves, the patient was successfully treated by microvascular decompression of the brainstem and cranial nerves. This case demonstrates how a dolichoectatic vertebral artery—a common anatomical variation that typically has no clinical consequence—should be considered in cases of cranial nerve dysfunction.