COLOR-CODED DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY (CCDS) OF T HE VERTEBRAL ARTERY - NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS IN OCCLUSIVE DISEASE OF THE VERTEBRAL ARTERY AND THE OTHER CEREBRAL-ARTERIES
K. Pfadenhauer et H. Muller, COLOR-CODED DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY (CCDS) OF T HE VERTEBRAL ARTERY - NORMAL AND ABNORMAL FINDINGS IN OCCLUSIVE DISEASE OF THE VERTEBRAL ARTERY AND THE OTHER CEREBRAL-ARTERIES, Ultraschall in der Medizin, 16(5), 1995, pp. 228-233
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology,Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging",Acoustics
Aim The aim of this study was to determine normal values of flow veloc
ities in the extracranial vertebral artery (VA) with regard to diamete
r of the VA, blood pressure and age. Hemodynamic changes in the VA in
occlusive disease of the brain supplying arteries were also to be inve
stigated. Based on the findings the clinical value of CCDS for the inv
estigation of the VA were to be assessed. Method The evaluation was ca
rried out by a CCDS-scanner with a 7.5 MHz transducer in 85 normal ind
ividuals and in 166 patients with occlusive disease of the cerebral ar
teries. Results The average maximal systolic flow velocity was 59 +/-
17, time averaged maximal velocity 31 +/- 10 and enddiastolic velocity
19 +/- 8 cm/sec. Significantly reduced flow velocities were found in
severely stenosed and in occluded VA. increased flow velocities in VA
serving as collateral pathway in higher grade obstructions of contrala
teral VA, ICA, and SCA. Conclusion CCDS of the VA is a valuable tool i
n diagnosis of severe obstructions of the VA, but also for demonstrati
on of collateral flow. Furthermore, cervical collateral pathways in se
vere obstruction of the VA-origin can be detected. Diagnosis of modera
te stenosis of the ostium of the VA remains difficult.