"Management of VAMCS typically is conservative or medical (e.g. analgesia, antiplatelets or anticoagulants). Microvascular decompression has been performed in some cases with mixed results. Some patients experience symptom relief, sometimes only temporary, while others encounter complications such as cranial nerve damage 2."
"VAMCS has been reported primarily in adults over the age of 40 years, although a number of younger patients have been reported (range 5 to 82) 2,3. There is a slight male predilection 3."
"The clinical presentation is highly variable and presumably depends on the compression site. Signs and symptoms include limb weakness (can be either contralateral or ipsilateral), paraesthesia, vocal cord paralysis, nystagmus, dysphagia, dizziness, headaches, and even respiratory issues 1,2."
"CT, and particularly CT angiography, can visualise vertebral artery morphology and, provided good quality imaging, also demonstrate the degree of medullary compression. CT, however, is unable to adequately assess the brainstem, brain and cord for other pathologies that may account for symptoms."