Test: Vertebral Artery Tension Test

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Background/Purpose

Procedure

The examiner holds tension medially and superiorly just inferior to the superior oblique and superior to the atlas while slowly rotating the patient\'s head ipsilaterally. The head is held in the rotated position for 10 seconds or until symptoms develop. It is thought that trauma or cummulative trauma to this area results in tension around the vertebrobasilar artery.
Performed: Unilaterally

Dialog

Bilateral blood pressure, pulse rates and auscultation of the subclavian and carotid arteries. It also includes George's functional maneuver which has the patient rotate, laterally bend and extend the head. Signs of nausea, tinnitus, vertigo, light headaches, slurring of speech, dizziness or nystagmus.

Criteria

• No nausea, nystagmus etc with maneuver.

Measurement

LOINC Code

0

Scale/Grading

Pass/Fail