SONOGRAPHIC PATTERNS BY TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER IN ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Aim. To evaluate the correlations between the patterns of Transcranial Doppler (TCD) and the extent and pathophysiologic mechanism of the is chemia as well as the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke . Methods. 37 patients with ischemic stroke within the first 24 hours of evolution were examined using TCD, neuroimaging, and neurologic sta te at admission and disarcharge. The TCDs were grouped into four categ ories: normal, stenotic, hemispheric asymmetry and trunk occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA); they were correlated with the extent of brain damage, pathophysiologic mechanism of the stroke and prognos is. Results. Normal TCD was highly predictive of lacunar infarction se condary to smalt vassels disease (p=0.01) and good recovery (p<0.02). The stenotic and hemispheric asymmetry patterns correlated highly with a cortical infarctions (p<0.05) and a cardioembolic mechanism. The oc clusion of the MCA was highly correlated with a large infarction (p<0. 01) and with poor outcome and death (p=0.004). Conclusions. Our data s how that TCD has a value in predicting the prognosis and the severity, location and pathophysiologic mechanism of cerebral strokes.