{
  "abstract": "BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:: Vertebral artery loop formations (VALFs) are under-reported yet treatable causes of cervical radiculopathy. Incidence varies between 2% and 7.5%. Exact pathogenesis is unclear. Literature is sparse, and optimal treatment remains controversial. This review aims to collect all available literature describing symptomatic VALFs.\n\nMETHODS:: We performed a scoping review in PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, British Medical Journal, and Google Scholar. Full-text original, descriptive, and analytical studies were collated. Data from retrieved articles were collaboratively reviewed, tabulated, and synthesized. Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes were discussed.\n\nRESULTS:: A total of 31 articles and 33 patients found to have symptomatic VALFs were included. The mean age of patients was 52 years, 17 (53%) of whom were females. Tortuosity was more apparent on the left, with C4-C5 and C5-C6 (28%) being the most common levels affected. Neck (13%) and shoulder pain (26%) were the most common left- and right-sided presenting symptoms. In the 31 treated patients, 71% (n = 22) underwent surgery, whereas the remaining 29% (n = 9) were treated conservatively. There was complete resolution of symptoms in 54% of patients who underwent surgery and in 75% of patients who were treated conservatively.\n\nCONCLUSION:: Vertebral artery loops are understudied yet clinically significant causes of radiculopathy. Believed to arise from various etiologies, it can be tricky to diagnose and manage, necessitating a high index of suspicion and prompt clinical recognition. When conservative management fails, a patient-tailored surgical approach may provide the most direct decompression with the least associated surgical risks.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Section of Neurosurgery, Institute for Neurosciences, St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City and Global City, Quezon City, Philippines",
    "Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of the Philippines -Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Denisse Ann L. Tiangco"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ibet Marie Y. Sih"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2sj46aamdphd6.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1227/neuprac.0000000000000322",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13734567/",
  "id": "2sj46aamdphd6",
  "issns": [
    "2834-4383"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1227/neuprac.0000000000000322",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Review"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "Spine"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2746|Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7225297222",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13734567",
  "pmid": "42985640",
  "published": "2026-11-05",
  "publisher": "Wolters Kluwer Health",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2sj46aamdphd6.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-08T12:24:01Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13734567",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1227/neuprac.0000000000000322"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2746|Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy",
      "subfield": "surgery"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Symptomatic Vertebral Artery Loop Formations: A Scoping Review of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment",
  "title_text": "Symptomatic Vertebral Artery Loop Formations: A Scoping Review of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Treatment",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T12:24:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2sj46aamdphd6",
  "venue": "Neurosurgery Practice",
  "versions": []
}