Paroxysmal positional nystagmus in innominate and subclavian arterial occlusive disease

Abstract

✓ A 42-year-old woman exhibited reproducible paroxysmal nystagmus on looking upward while standing, or on turning her head to the right while reclining. She also experienced vertigo with these postural maneuvers. These neurological findings were attributed to brain-stem ischemia secondary to arteriosclerotic occlusive disease of the left subclavian and innominate arteries. Surgical restoration of normal blood flow in these extracranial vessels was associated with complete remission of the nystagmus and vertigo.