Effectivieness of the Radiologic Imaging Methods in the Diagnosis of the Vertebrobasillar Insufficiency

Aim: Vertebrobasillar insufficiency (VBI) is a common problem of elderly patients. However, diagnosis of VBI is generally difficult. The aim of this study was to determine the findings and efficiencies of MRA and CDUS in the diagnosis of VBI. Material and Method: We examined 40 patients (20 men, 20 women, mean age: 54.83±14.36 years) having signs and symptoms of VBI and 20 controls of the same age and sex. All of the patients, underwent cervical MRA, CDUS, cranial MRI. The diameter measurements and systolic and diastolic flow velocities of the vertebral arteries were compared between study and control group. Posterior circulation was also evaluated by cranial MRI in patients with VBI. Results: By CDUS, 9 patients with oclusion, 5 patients with kink or stenosis and 6 patients with only hypoplasia, and 2 patients with insufficient flow were diagnosed. MRA showed occlusion in 14 patients, stenosis in 4 patients, kink in 6 patients, tortuosity in 6 patients, and fenestration in one patient. MRA of the remaining 5 patients were normal. Cranial MRI of 7 patients was abnormal. On MRA, there was distal oclusion in five out of 14 patients having oclusion. CDUS showed low velocity and high resistance in the extracranial segment of these vessels. Conclusion: When only the extracranial pathologies of vertebral arteries were in concern, CDUS specifity was 81,5% and sensitivity was 84,6% according to MRA. If all the vertebrobasillary system pathologies were in concern CDUS sensitivity and specifity according to MRA were 57,1% and 60%, respectively.