A 44-year-old woman comes to the physician because of episodic dizziness, double vision and dysarthria She clarifies that these symptoms tend to come on when she raises her right hand above her head such as when brushing her hair or when reaching for something from a shelf. Her neurological examination is normal. Her vital signs are also normal; however, her pulse is stronger at the left radius than the right radius. Furthermore, her blood pressure when measured on the left arm is 145/66 mmHg whereas on her right arm it is 120/58 mmHg
Her presentation is due to pathology at which of the following locations?
A 44-year-old woman comes to the physician because of episodic dizziness, double vision and dysarthria She clarifies that these symptoms tend to come on when she raises her right hand above her head such as when brushing her hair or when reaching for something from a shelf. Her neurological examination is normal. Her vital signs are also normal; however, her pulse is stronger at the left radius than the right radius. Furthermore, her blood pressure when measured on the left arm is 145/66 mmHg whereas on her right arm it is 120/58 mmHg
Her presentation is due to pathology at which of the following locations?
π‘ Explanation
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms are suggestive of a condition affecting the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brainstem and cerebellum. The vertebral artery is a branch of the subclavian artery and passes through the foramina of the cervical vertebrae before reaching the brain.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The patient's symptoms of dizziness, double vision, and dysarthria, which worsen with neck movements, are consistent with vertebral artery compression or dissection. The stronger pulse at the left radius and higher blood pressure in the left arm suggest a subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion, which is a common cause of vertebral artery compression. This compression can lead to reduced blood flow to the brainstem and cerebellum, resulting in the patient's symptoms.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not relevant to the patient's symptoms. The carotid artery primarily supplies blood to the anterior circulation of the brain, whereas the patient's symptoms are more consistent with vertebral artery pathology.
**Option B:** The basilar artery is a continuation of the vertebral arteries and supplies blood to the brainstem and cerebellum. However, the patient's symptoms are more likely due to compression of the vertebral artery rather than pathology at the level of the basilar artery.
**Option C:** The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is a branch of the vertebral artery and supplies blood to the cerebellum. While PICA compression can cause cerebellar symptoms, the patient's symptoms are more consistent with vertebral artery pathology rather than PICA compression.
**Option D:** The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is a branch of the basilar artery and supplies blood to the cerebellum. AICA compression can cause cerebellar symptoms, but the patient's symptoms are more consistent with vertebral artery pathology.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The patient's symptoms highlight the importance of considering vascular pathology in patients with episodic neurological symptoms, particularly those that worsen with neck movements. A thorough physical examination, including blood pressure measurements in both arms, can help identify patients with vertebral artery compression or subclavian artery stenosis.
**Correct Answer:** D.
β Correct Answer: D. Subclavian artery
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