Vertebrobasilar dolichoetasia

Posted by chuckb @chuckb, Feb 8 10:19pm

Has anyone been diagnosed with vertebrobasilar dolichoetasia (VBD)? During an MRI to find the cause of my sudden one sided sensorinueral hearing loss in 2011 an incidental finding of vertebrobasilar dolichoetasia was a surprise. There is a mild compression on the pons and no discernible symptoms. It has been stable for 15 years. It was the first I ever heard of this condition. The course of the disease can have the most catastrophic results so I feel fortunate. However there is a recognized link to aorta aneurysms and I have been diagnosed with two thorasic aortas. Research showed me this:
Studies have found that people with VBD have higher rates of:
1-Thoracic aortic aneurysm,
2'Abdominal aortic aneurysm,
3-Intracranial aneurysms elsewhere.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

chuckb | @chuckb | Feb 9 11:17am

Not two aortas! Two aneurysms!

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 9 2:53pm

@chuckb - thanks for starting this discussion on vertebrobasilar dolichoetasia (VBD).

Tagging a few members who may know something about this condition and your concern for preventing conditions for which the VBD puts you at higher risk for @scottrl @waynen @dhutch @pks3carlson @hopeful33250.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Feb 10 1:19pm

Hello @chuckb

I found your post very interesting. I had not heard of this diagnosis before. So, I did a little research and found this information on a link from the Cleveland Clinic website, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22452-vertebrobasilar-insufficiency-vbi

As this disorder is associated with hearing loss, you might also find it helpful to post this in the Hearing Loss Support group, where @julieo4 is the mentor. Here is a link to that group:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/hearing-loss/
What type of specialist diagnosed this disorder? Do you have many troublesome symptoms that you deal with daily?

chuckb | @chuckb | Feb 13 11:47am

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @chuckb I found your post very interesting. I had not heard of this diagnosis before...." + (show)

@hopeful33250
Neurologists and neurosurgeons. I have no symptoms at sll. However, serious events can result such as Locked-in Syndrome if clots develop. The torturosity and difference in size between vertebral arteries creates turbulence that can cause clots. The enlargement of the basilar arter can cause compression on the Pons. Most people are asymptomatic and never know they have it.