ABSTRACT
To study peripheral arterial diseases of the lower extremity by colour-flow duplex sonography (CFDS) and to compare the results between CFDS and angiography. Materials and methods : Ten normal subjects were studied in the control group, together with the second group of nine patients who had occlusive peripheral arterial disease of the legs, by colour-flow duplex sonography (CFDS). AII none patients who had vascular diseases were examined by angiography within one week after CFDS for comparison. The results of both studies were then analysed to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and cost-effectiveness of CFDS 1. In normal subjects (control group), CFDS showed a triphasic flow in the normal vessels. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) showed maximum velocity in the abdominal aorta (100-150)cm/sec and there was decreased velocity in PSV in the peripheral vessels. 2. The study found that in the stenotic segment of artery, there was (a). Monophasic flow (instead of triphasic flow) ; (b). Turbulance flow, with spectral broadening ; (c). Increased PSV above 150 per cent. 3. As angiography is a gold-standard examination for the peripheral vascular disease, the sensitivity and specificity of CFDS are 68.42 and 100 per cent respectively. 4. The limitations of CFDS include : (a). obese patient or patient with large amount of gas in the bowel loops ; (b). Calcified wall of vessels, which can obscure sonotransmission. (c). Experience of sonologist ; (e). Long examination time. The conclusion is that CFDS is an useful, non-invasive examination for peripheral arterial disease of legs. In the hands of an experience sonologist, arterial diseases can be detected or diagnosed with good accuracy and good result. However, there are still some limitations with CFDS.