[Diagnosis of extracranial stenoses and occlusions. Comparison of Doppler sonography, duplex-scan and angiography]

Abstract

In a prospective study the detection rate of stenoses and occlusions of extracranial arteries by continuous-wave (CW) Doppler sonography, duplex-scan and selective angiography was compared independently by three investigators. In 89 patients (488 arteries) CW-Doppler sonography was superior to duplex-scan in the detection of stenoses exceeding 50% and occlusions. Duplex-scan detected about half of low degree stenoses and arteriosclerotic plaques and in some cases lesions which are not shown in angiography. Thus, Doppler sonography and duplex-scan are complementary rather than competitive methods. Doppler sonography is necessary for the evaluation of flow disturbances in the vertebral and subclavian arteries and high degree stenoses in the intracranial section of the internal carotid artery.