Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a rare cause of simultaneous abducens and vestibulocochlear nerve symptoms: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) can lead to cranial nerve symptoms. However, multiple cranial nerve symptoms associated with VBD in one case remain extremely rare. We here present the case of a 33-year-old male with VBD diagnosed by multimodality imaging, who developed simultaneous abducens and vestibulocochlear nerve symptoms and subsequently improved after blood pressure control treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a vascular disorder resulting in simultaneous symptoms of the abducens and vestibulocochlear nerves. This study highlights that such a vascular anomaly should be considered when cranial nerve symptom is encountered, especially when multiple cranial nerves involved. Meanwhile, radiological evalurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrration of such neurovascular conflict using threedimensional constructive interference in steady-state imaging is recommended.