What is Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency?

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is a disruption in the supply of blood to the back of the brain, leading to problems with key functions like balance and vision. People are more at risk of this condition when they are older, especially if they have vascular diseases like atherosclerosis. Patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency can experience symptoms like vertigo, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea, depending on the parts of the brain involved. Treatments, usually supervised by a neurologist, are available.

This condition can lead to a temporary ischemic attack or “mini-stroke,” where the patient experiences stroke-like symptoms because of unstable blood supply. People can experience recurrent episodes or just one, depending on why the blood supply is unreliable, and usually go to a doctor because the symptoms become disruptive. Slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, nausea, and trouble walking can all be possible, and may become worse over time.

Sometimes, the vertebrobasilar insufficiency is the result of a vascular problem like rupture of a blood vessel or clogged vessels. The cause can also be positional in nature. Cricking the neck, as seen when people recline their heads for a wash at the beauty parlor, or experience neck injuries during a car accident, can be a potential cause. Likewise, some people experience positional hypotension, where their blood pressure drops when they change position suddenly. Blood may not be able to reach the brain, and the patient can develop vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

When a patient presents with this condition, the doctor can request medical imaging to get a look at the supply of blood in the brain and check for damage. A physical evaluation can check for neck pain, low blood pressure, and other issues that may be contributing. This information will help the doctor develop a diagnosis, useful for determining treatment options. Treatments may involve medications as well as surgery, depending on why the patient's brain is not getting enough blood.

Having vertebrobasilar insufficiency is not necessarily a guarantee that a patient will have a full-blown stroke later, but it can be a warning sign. Underlying ill health makes people more vulnerable to stroke, as well as this condition, and making lifestyle changes can help reduce the chances of a stroke. Sometimes, this is the warning sign, allowing a patient to adjust her life to avoid more serious problems with the brain's blood supply in the future. In other patients, it is independent of any other health issues, and may resolve completely without any chance of further problems.