title: [Downbeat nystagmus and vertebrobasilar arterial dolichoectasia].
abstract: A 66-year-old man presented with a downbeat nystagmus. The underlying cause was unknown. A dolichoectasia of the vertebrobasilar artery was the only identifiable abnormality at Magnetic Resonance Image which also disclosed distortion of the anterolateral aspect of the medulla. Compression of the caudal brain-stem by an enlarged and tortuous vertebrobasilar arterial system may be the cause of downbeat nystagmus in cases unassociated with the more commonly recognized causes.
authors.affiliation: Clinique Neurologique, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Krespi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verstichel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cambier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000473:pathology*
vernacular_title: Nystagmus battant vers le bas et dolichoectasie artérielle vertébrobasilaire.