Comparison between directional Doppler and angiography in the diagnosis of internal carotid artery disease

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Directional Doppler examination (DD) with flow registration over the supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries and over the carotid artery in the neck was adopted to 99 carotid arteries in 56 patients without previous knowledge of angiography results. DD and angiography findings were compared. On subgrouping of the angiography results into internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis < 50%, > 50%, and occlusion, a correct diagnosis was obtained by DD on 90 vessels (91%). All 11 ICA occlusions were correctly diagnosed by DD. The incorrect results obtained with DD were as follows: 4 ICA stenosis < 50% were classified as stenosis > 50%; 4 stenosis > 50% were classified as < 50%; and 1 stenosis > 50% was classified as occlusion. DD is a useful noninvasive screening method for the detection of occlusion and > 50% stenosis of ICA.