Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is defined as a prominent elongation, dilatation and tortuosity of the vertebral and basilar arteries. Ectatic basilar arteries may cause different neurological symptoms by several mechanisms including compressive effects and embolic or ischemic events.

Case presentation: In this report we present a 58-year old female patient who was admitted in Dr. Shariati General Hospital in Tehran, Iran with complaints of dysarthria, vertigo, ataxia and nausea. Neuro-imaging procedures (brain CT scan, CT angiography, and an MRI study of the blood vessels or MRA) were performed. Dilation and elongation, as well as tortuosity of the vertebral and basilar arteries revealed the diagnosis of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. The patient was discharged from the hospital following the control of underlying diseases and neurological symptoms related to dolichoectasia without undergoing any invasive procedures.

Conclusion: Paying attention to any minor or major neurological symptoms, as well as underlying medical conditions along with the conservative control of symptoms can be most helpful. Invasive interventions in a chronically ill patient can be very risky, therefore, medical management including control of associated or underlying diseases is recommended as the first line of treatment.