Bow hunter's stroke: What causes it?

Bow hunter's stroke is a rare type of ischemic stroke. It results from narrowing or obstruction of the main arteries supplying blood to the brainstem and cerebellum at the back of the brain.

Bow hunter's stroke may be caused by forcibly turning your head to the side. In individuals with certain cervical spine abnormalities, such movement puts pressure on vertebral arteries at the back of the upper neck — where the arteries enter the brain. This impairs blood flow to the brain, which causes a stroke.

A doctor may make a diagnosis of bow hunter's stroke by:

• Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain or cervical spine
• Magnetic resonance angiogram
• Angiogram

Treatment of bow hunter's stroke is directed at reducing pressure on the vertebral arteries with head movement. This may include:

• Surgery
• A neck brace