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Vertigo caused by basilar artery compression of the eighth nerve
Author(s) -
Benecke James E.,
Hitselberger William E.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198808000-00002
Subject(s) - vertigo , medicine , basilar artery , tinnitus , posterior cranial fossa , vertebral artery , vestibular nerve , cranial nerves , anterior inferior cerebellar artery , vestibular system , vestibulocochlear nerve , microvascular decompression , nerve compression syndrome , surgery , radiology , anatomy , audiology , trigeminal neuralgia , aneurysm
Vascular compression syndromes in the posterior cranial fossa have become well described clinical entities, especially for the fifth and seventh cranial nerves. Jannetta has proposed vascular compression of the eighth nerve as the etiology of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo in some patients. The case that follows illustrates a clear‐cut example of vestibular symptoms arising from vascular compression of the eighth nerve. The patient involved had disabling peripheral vertigo refractory to medical management. Magnetic resonance imaging documented a tortuous basilar artery compressing the eighth nerve on the involved side. This was confirmed at surgery, and a selective section of the vestibular nerve provided complete relief of disabling symptoms and preservation of hearing. The authors describe the details of this case and the enigma of eighth nerve symptoms due to vascular compression.