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Diagnostics and characterisation of preocclusive stenoses and occlusions of the internal carotid artery with B-flow

  • Vascular-Interventional
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Abstract

The purpose was to evaluate whether B-flow can improve the ultrasonographic diagnosis of preocclusive stenosis and occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) compared with colour-coded Doppler and power Doppler. Ninety patients with occlusions or preocclusive stenoses of the ICA suspected by Doppler sonography were examined with B-flow in comparison with colour-coded Doppler sonography (CCDS), power Doppler (PD) and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Intrastenotic flow detection and lengths of stenoses were the main criteria. Ulcerated plaques found by surgery in 42/90 patients were compared by ultrasonography (US). Diagnosis of ICA occlusion with CCDS, PD and B-flow was correct in all 42 cases. A preocclusive ICA stenosis in DSA was detected correctly in all 48/48 cases (100%) for B-flow, in 44/48 (92%) for PD and in 39/48 (81%) for CCDS. Surgical findings showed in 17/42 cases ulcerated plaques; 15/17 (89%) of these cases were detected with B-flow, 12/17 (71%) with PD, 10/17 (59%) with CCDS, and 8/17 (47%) with DSA. With B-flow the extent of stenosis was appraised more precisely than with PD and CCDS (P<0.0001). In conclusion, B-flow is a reliable method for preocclusive stenosis of the ICA with less intrastenotic flow artefacts. B-flow facilitates the characterization of plaque morphologies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Passau, Innstrasse 76, 94032, Passau, Germany

    E. M. Jung & N. Rupp

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Pirmasens, Germany

    R. Kubale

  3. Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Passau, Passau, Germany

    G. Ritter & M. T. Gallegos

  4. Departement of Diagnostic Radiology, Spitalzentrum Oberwallis, Brig, Switzerland

    K. -P. Jungius

  5. Department of Clinical Radiology, University of Munich - Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany

    D. -A. Clevert

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  1. E. M. Jung
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  2. R. Kubale
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  3. G. Ritter
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  4. M. T. Gallegos
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  5. K. -P. Jungius
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  6. N. Rupp
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  7. D. -A. Clevert
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Correspondence to E. M. Jung.

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Jung, E.M., Kubale, R., Ritter, G. et al. Diagnostics and characterisation of preocclusive stenoses and occlusions of the internal carotid artery with B-flow. Eur Radiol 17, 439–447 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0285-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0285-3

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