A NEW METHOD TO EXAMINE THE INTRACRANIAL- ARTERIES 3-DIMENSIONAL TRANSCRANIAL CONTRAST DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY

A new data acquisition system for transcranial 3 D-ultrasonography was used. The present study examines the evaluation of intracranial cereb ral arteries by 3 D-ultrasound and echo contrast agents in comparison to cerebral angiography, Methods: Ten patients, who underwent diagnost ic cerebral angiography, were examined without knowledge of the angiog raphic results. Data acquisition through the transtemporal acoustic bo ne window was performed with a magnetic sensor system to track the spa tial orientation of the ultrasound probe while scanning the volume of interest, We used a transcranial duplex system with power mode and sto red a 3 D-data set before injection of transpulmonary stable contrast medium and afterwards. Results: Ipsilateral to the transducer anterior cerebral artery (ACA) in 90%, middle cerebral artery (MCA) in 90%, th ree or more branches of MCA in 60% and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) in 40% were analysed without injecting an echo contrast agent, After the contrast injection ACA, MCA, branches of MCA and PCA in 100% were visible. In 70% of cases the posterior and anterior communicating arte ries were visualised only by means of a contrast agent. Conclusion: Ap plication of a transpulmonary stable ultrasound contrast agent in comb ination with 3 D transcranial duplex ultrasonography significantly enh ances the visualisation of intracranial arteries.