Compression of the Vertebral Artery by the Thyroid Cartilage Causing Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

Background This retrospective case report describes a rare presentation of VBI in a young male patient. Aims Share a rare cause of VBI in a young patient. Materials & Methods The patient presented with recurrent episodes of dizziness and a history of several cerebellar infarcts. Imaging revealed the right vertebral artery was being mechanically compressed by the right superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage during mouth opening. Surgical resection of the right superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage was performed. Results Intraoperative angiography revealed a right vertebral artery without compression during mouth opening. Discussion Clinicians should consider the thyroid cartilage as a potential source of recurrent VBI due to mechanical compression of the VA. Conclusion Resection of the causative portion of the thyroid cartilage resolved the compression in this case, and should be employed in similar cases. Laryngoscope, 133:1214–1217, 2023 Mechanical compression of the vertebral artery during mouth opening by the thyroid cartilage. Successfully resolved by resection of the thyroid cartilage.