The vertebral artery loops: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Eur Spine JJul 23, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchNeurosurgeryOrthopedic SurgeryOpen access

Andrei-Cristian Albu, Mugurel Constantin Rusu

✦ AI-curated · Sources linked

In 30 seconds

This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of vertebral artery loops (VALs) in cervical spine surgery, analyzing 10 studies with 7,475 vertebral arteries. The pooled prevalence of VALs was found to be 1.71% (95% CI 0.87%-2.55%), highlighting their potential risk during surgical procedures.

Key findings

  • The pooled prevalence of VALs was 1.71% (95% CI 0.87%-2.55%).
  • Subgroup analysis revealed a prevalence of 1.09% in radiological imaging cohorts.
  • Clinically relevant loops were most often located in the V2 segment at mid-cervical levels (C4-C6).
  • Preoperative CTA/MRA is recommended when specific anatomical signs are present.

Why it matters

Understanding the prevalence and implications of vertebral artery loops is crucial for surgical planning, as they can significantly increase the risk of vascular injury during cervical spine procedures.

Source

PubMed · PMID 42489701Free full text on PubMed Central

Published in Eur Spine J. This summary was written by xxcode from the publication's abstract and metadata. It is not peer reviewed and is not a substitute for the original article. For clinical decisions, review the original publication.

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