RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the relationship between transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and three-dimensional computerized tomography angiography (3D-CTA) under delayed ischemic neurologic deficit (DIND) with angioplasty following vasospasm. MATERIALS & METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients with DIND following vasospasm who received sequential TCD and CTA were analyzed. On TCD, vasospasm was defined as anterior circulation peak mean velocity>120 cm/s, daily increases of 50cm/s, and a Lindegaard ratio (LR)degrees root 3. On 3D-CTA data were subdivided into local and combined types according to the position where vasospasm occurred, and into mild, moderate, and severe by the blood vessel diameter. RESULTS: Among the 20 consecutive patients with DIND, 13 of them received angioplasty. On TCD, the angioplasty group had more frequent vasospasm and tended to have an LR higher than 3. The mean blood flow velocity of MCA in the angioplasty group was 40 cm/sec higher than the group without angioplasty. On CTA, the angioplasty group showed combined, moderate types more frequently. After 3D-CTA evaluation, TCD sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, analyzed with the index of diminished vessel diameter that was more than moderate, were 92.6%, 83.3%, 72.2% and 50.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TCD and 3D-CTA could be useful tools for evaluation and management planning of critical patients suspected of having DIND by vasospasm.