[B-scan sonography of the carotid artery. Technique, results and indications (author's transl)]

Abstract

Three hundred and forty-six carotid arteries were examined with a two-dimensional 3.5 MHz real time scanner in 173 patients with evidence of cerebral ischaemia; 62 carotid arteries were investigated by selective trans-femoral angiography in 36 of these patients at the same time. Sonography and angiography agreed in 20 (91%) of 22 angiographically normal cases, in all cases (10) with haemodynamically insignificant plaques, in eight (66%) of 12 stenosis of less than 50%, in nine (90%) of ten stenosis of more than 50% and in four (44%) of nine total occlusions. Sensitivity of carotid sonography varied with the severity of the lesion from 44 to 100%. Its specificity was 91%. B-scan sonography of the carotid artery, in the presence of cerebro-vascular lesions (transitory ischaemia, cerebral infarcts) and in the presence of non-specific symptoms and of asymptomatic vascular murmurs, may provide indications for the use of angiography. Its values as a screening procedure remains to be assessed.