Posterior decompression of the vertebral artery narrowed by cervical osteophyte: case report.

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic vertebral artery compression caused by cervical spondylosis usually is caused by compression of the artery by osteophytes arising from the uncinate process. Compression from facet joint osteophytes is seldom reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 69-year-old male developed symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis secondary to an osteophyte arising from the superior facet of the sixth cervical vertebra posterior to the artery. A posterior decompression of the vertebral artery with removal of the offending facet joint complex relieved the patient's transient neurologic events.

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis may be caused by osteophytes compressing the vertebral artery anteriorly from the uncinate process or posteriorly from the facet complex.