Vertebrobasilar insufficiency. A review
J. I. Ausman, C. E. Shrontz, J. E. Pearce, F. G. Diaz and J. L. Crecelius
After critically reviewing the last 50 years' literature pertaining to
vertebrobasilar insufficiency, we reached the following conclusions: One
can seldom accurately localize vascular pathologic lesions in the posterior
circulation by clinical examination alone. The symptoms of vertebrobasilar
insufficiency have multiple causes. Stenotic and occlusive lesions have
been found at every level of the vertebrobasilar circulation. Currently, a
complete investigation requires four-vessel cerebral angiography. No
therapeutic modality, medical or surgical, has been proved unequivocably to
be of benefit. New surgical approaches to the vertebrobasilar circulation
that show promise in providing alternative methods of treatment have been
developed.
