Anterior vertebral artery decompression with an ultrasonic bone curette to treat bow hunter's syndrome.

We report a patient with bow hunter's syndrome who was treated by anterior decompression of the vertebral artery (VA) using an ultrasonic bone curette (SONOPET). This 60-year-old man reported almost losing consciousness upon head rotation. Although the right VA appeared normal at the natural head position, upon left head rotation it became completely occluded at the transverse foramen of C2. We performed anterior decompression of the right VA at the axis using a high-speed drill and SONOPET. For anterior decompression of the VA in a deep and narrow operative field, we recommend use of SONOPET, which permits safe, easy bone dissection.