Successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the intracranial vertebral artery 1 month after total occlusion--case report.

A 51-year-old male suffering from recurrent cerebral ischemia due to total occlusion of the bilateral intracranial vertebral arteries more than 1 month old was successfully treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The totally occluded portion from the right intracranial vertebral artery to the basilar artery was adequately dilated. Follow-up angiography approximately 3 months after angioplasty demonstrated no evidence of restenosis. His symptoms have not recurred. PTA is potentially a much less invasive and safer reconstruction than bypass surgery for total occlusions of the intracranial vertebral arteries less than 3 months old.