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

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.