COLOR DOPPLER IMAGING IN THE SUBCLAVIAN-AXILLARY REGION AND UPPER EXTREMITY

Thirty-three patients were examined by color-coded Doppler ultrasound of the thoracoaxillary region or upper arm to review the utility of th e method in this local area. The subclavian artery and vein were ident ified in all but one patient, in whom the subclavian vein was occluded and collateral vessels had developed. Masses and foreign bodies were easily distinguished from vascular abnormalities. Sonographic cephalic /basilic vein mapping was effective in seven patients. Carotid subclav ian grafts were noted and evaluated appropriately in two patients. Col or-coded sonography offered advantages in speed of localization of ves sels and visual assessment of vessel location, direction of flow, turb ulence, relationship to adjacent soft tissues, and detection of collat eralization. Foreign body detection was not enhanced by color coding.