Doppler sonography of the intertransverse segment of the vertebral artery

We assessed the utility of a Doppler ultrasonographic examination of the ve rtebral artery, limited to the intertransverse segment, in diagnosis of dis ease at any level of vertebrobasilar circulation. The vertebral artery was identified in all the patients, with a successful evaluation of the presenc e of disease in 112 of 116 (96.5%) vertebral arteries. All of the occlusion s and subclavian steal syndromes were diagnosed. All of the vertebral arter ies with abnormal Doppler findings had a pathologic angiographic study. In conclusion, Doppler ultrasonography of the intertransverse segment of the v ertebral artery is useful owing to its applicability and accuracy.