Hypersomnia with sudden sleep attacks ('symptomatic narcolepsy') on the basis of vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency. A case report

A 56 yr old patient with a one-yr-history of uncontrollable sleep attacks occurring during daytime, and episodes of unsteadiness, dizziness, diplopia and dysarthria is reported. The clinical evaluation revealed evidence of vertebrobasilar artery enlargement and insufficiency. He has become symptom-free under appropriate treatment. This raises the question of 'symptomatic narcolepsy' caused by vascular brain stem disorder.