Tortuosity of the vertebral artery

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the tortuosity of the vertebral artery and to emphasize the clinical importance of tortuosity. The data derived from this study will add important contribution to our anatomical knowledge, but they will also find clinical applications in radiology and surgery. We examined 40 patients with CT angiography and analyzed the tortuosity of the vertebral artery. Of the vessels examined, 22 (55%) followed a relatively straight course from their origin to their entry into the transverse foramen. The other 18 (45%) patients showed some form of tortuosity. Both vertebral arteries showed high incidence of tortuosity. Our study has highlighted the possible role of vertebral artery tortuosity in diagnostic and surgical procedures in order to prevent vertebral artery injury.