Tortuous vertebral artery simulating extradural spinal tumour.
A rare case of cervical bone erosion resulting from pressure exerted by a congenital tortuous vertebral artery is presented with seven additional cases from the literature. The 3-4 level, especially on the left side, has been the most commonly affected site. The importance of the knowledge of this entity lies in the fact that it causes a surgically treatable radiculopathy, and also that this condition could easily be mistaken for a tumour, leading to accidental bleeding if carelessly approached.
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging