Posterior Ponticles and Rotational Stenosis of Vertebral Arteries. A Pilot Study Using Doppler Ultrasound Velocimetry and Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Haynes, Michael J.; Cala, Lesley A.; Melsom, Alison; Mastaglia, Frank L.; Milne, Nicholas; McGeachie, John K.

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.04.003

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Volume 28, Issue 5 , Pages 323-329, June 2005

Posterior Ponticles and Rotational Stenosis of Vertebral Arteries. A Pilot Study Using Doppler Ultrasound Velocimetry and Magnetic Resonance Angiography

Michael J. Haynes, BAppSc(Chiro), PhD
- The School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Australia
- Submit requests for reprints to: Michael J. Haynes BAppSc (Chiro), PhD, c/o High Wycombe Chiropractic Clinic, 506 Kalamunda Road, High Wycombe, Western Australia 6057, Australia
Lesley A. Cala, MB, MD
- Hon Senior Research Fellow, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia; Adjunct Professor, The University of Western Australia, Australia; Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University, Australia
Alison Melsom
- Medical Imaging Technologist, Radiology Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
Frank L. Mastaglia, MB, MD
- Director, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, Western Australia, Australia; Professor of Neurology, The School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Australia
Nicholas Milne, PhD
- Associate Professor, The School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of West Australia, Australia
John K. McGeachie, DSc
- Professor, The School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of West Australia, Australia

Abstract

Objective

To determine whether the presence of posterior ponticles markedly increases by 30% or more, the incidence of major rotational stenosis of vertebral arteries.

Methods

Doppler ultrasound studies were performed in 3 private chiropractic clinics and in the radiology department of a public hospital, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) studies were made in the latter location. Thirty-two chiropractic patients had Doppler velocimetery, and 16 of these patients had MRA scanning. The outcome measures included changes in Doppler velocimetry signals and MRA images indicative of marked rotational stenosis of vertebral arteries.

Results

All vertebral arteries from the 32 patients displayed no signs indicative of marked rotational stenosis.

Conclusion

The findings of this study show that the incidence of major rotational stenosis of vertebral arteries is not markedly increased by the presence of posterior ponticles.