title: Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm presenting as a chronic cervical mass lesion.
abstract: Background. Aneurysms of the extracranial vertebral artery are rare and can provide a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Methods. We reviewed the clinical history of a patient presenting with cervical radiculopathy, who harboured an extracranial vertebral artery aneurysm eroding the cervical spine. Results. CT Angiography and MR Angiography set the diagnosis, by revealing a left C5-C6 vertebral artery aneurysm with cervical root impingement. Bony reconstruction depicted enlargement of the C6 transverse foramen and a marked enlargement of the C6-C7 intravertebral foramen. The lesion was treated by intravascular proximal vertebral artery occlusion. Conclusions. Extracranial vertebral artery aneurysms require a high index of clinical suspicion. This is the first report of a vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with bony erosion, which supports a less minacious portrayal of vertebral artery aneurysms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos General Hospital, Pangrati, 116 32 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Lampis C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Stavrinou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stranjalis
authors.forename: Pantelis C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Stavrinou
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bontozoglou
authors.forename: Damianos E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sakas