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Review
. 2022 Dec;31(12):3696-3702.
doi: 10.1007/s00586-021-06906-0. Epub 2021 Jun 25.

Anterior artery release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) for radiculopathy caused by a vertebral artery loop

Mazda Farshad  1 , José Miguel Spirig  2 , Marco D Burkhard  2
Affiliations
Free article
Review

Anterior artery release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) for radiculopathy caused by a vertebral artery loop

Mazda Farshad et al. Eur Spine J. 2022 Dec.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Anomalous vertebral artery (VA) with loop formation is a rare cause of cervical nerve root compression. Various techniques with anterior and posterior approaches have been described for surgical treatment once conservative treatments fail. We herein present a case treated with the new technique of anterior release, distraction and fusion (ARDF) and further provide an updated review of surgically managed VA loops in the subaxial spine.

Case description: A 76-year-old female complained of a 6-year history of pulsating, shooting pain in her right arm to the thumb. After obtaining repeated MRI, the VA loop compressing the right-sided C6-nerve root was detected. A neurovascular decompression through ARDF which led to an indirect loop straightening was performed. The patient immediately improved after surgery and remained pain-free 1 year postoperative.

Conclusion: Neural irritation due to VA loop formation is a rare cause of cervical radiculopathy. While various surgical strategies have been described, we believe that anterior and anterolateral approaches are the safest to yield neurovascular decompression. We described and documented ARDF (anterior VA release, intervertebral distraction and fusion) on a patient case.

Level of evidence: II (Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding).

Keywords: ARDF; Artery Loop; Cervical Spine; Neurovascular; Vertebral artery.

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