J Korean Med Assoc.  2004 Jul;47(7):620-630. 10.5124/jkma.2004.47.7.620.

Cerebrovascular Ultrasound in Stroke Diagnosis and Its Applications

• Lee JH

• KMID: 2183480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2004.47.7.620

Abstract

The greatest advances in understanding and treating stroke have occurred during the past 30 years. The advantages of ultrasound for vascular diagnosis are well known: it is a fast, portable, non-invasive, repeatable and inexpensive technique. Among various clinical situations for the application of ultrasound to stroke care, the best established ones include: (1) early detection and characterization of extracranial atherosclerosis and occlusive diseases especially at the carotid bifurcation; (2) evaluation of consequences of proximal arterial occlusive disease on the distal cerebral vasculature; (3) follow-up of the natural history and response to treatment of acute arterial occlusion that causes hyperacute stroke; (4) detection of microemboli associated with cardiac and aortic pathology and carotid artery surgical manipulation; and (5) follow-up of the time course and reversibility of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The field of ultrasonic diagnosis also has detractors and limitations. Even now, the technique is 'operator-dependent' in terms of the accuracy and validity of its results. Newer technology has provided significant advances in this regard; however, it is necessary for each laboratory to maintain a strict quality control in order to maximize the benefits that this powerful technology can provide.

Keyword

Cerebrovascular; Ultrasound; TCD; Carotid; Atherosclerosis

MeSH Terms

Arterial Occlusive Diseases
Atherosclerosis
Carotid Arteries
Diagnosis*
Follow-Up Studies
Natural History
Pathology
Quality Control
Stroke*
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Ultrasonography*
Vasospasm, Intracranial

Figure

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  Figure 1

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