A member asked:

What does 'diffuse severe attenuation of the left vertebral artery" mean on a neck ct scan with contrast? could it be cause of previous spontaneous arterial brachial clot or subclavian clot?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Michael Gabor answered

Specializes in Diagnostic Radiology

Hard to: say with certainty without access to the images and report, but most commonly this is simply due to a developmental/congenital anatomic variation whereby one vertebral artery is very small. This would not be the cause of a clot elsewhere.

Answered 4/21/2016

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Dr. Hunter Handsfield answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

Arteritis?: If the person with this also had previous arterial clots (subclavian, brachial, or any artery) that were spontaneous, i.e. not following trauma, surgery, or other obvious cause, it suggests a problem causing generalized arterial inflammation (arteritis). As in my other reply, involvement of the vertebral artery implies risk of stroke. This person urgently needs expert medical care.

Answered 4/22/2016

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