Abstract
INTRODUCTION: To report a case of monoparesis caused by a vertebral artery (VA) anomaly and foraminal stenosis treated with microvascular decompression by the posterior approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 51-year-old man was referred because of a 4-year history of progressive left shoulder pain refractory to other forms of treatment and a 7-month history of arm weakness. Clinical and radiologic evaluation showed an abnormally tortuous loop of left C5-6 cervical foramina with foraminal stenosis causing direct C6 nerve root compression. RESULTS: Left posterior cervical C5-6 facetectomy and fusion was done to decompress the nerve root. The C6 nerve root was identified and well decompressed. The patient’s symptoms resolved after surgery, supporting the posterior decompression of a cervical nerve root compressed by a vertebral artery loop and stenosis for the relief of pain and weakness. CONCLUSION: Cervical root compression by an anomalous extracranial VA accompanied with foraminal stenosis is a rare cause of radiculopathy and weakness. The best management of such lesions combined with arterial compression and stenosis, is the posterior approach with bony and nerve root decompression.