Value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography on grading extracranial carotid stenosis / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess value of contrast enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS)in diagnosis of extracranial carotid stenosis.Methods Baseline ultrasonography and CEUS were performed in 108 patients with extracranial carotid stenosis.The location and degree of stenosis were judged and compared with the results of digital subtraction angiography(DSA).Results Of 108 patients,DSA diagnosed 81 vessels in 62 cases of mildintermediate stenosis which consisted of 33 common carotid arteries(CCAs),43 internal carotid arteries(ICAs)and 5 external carotid arteries(ECAS),51 vessels in 39 cases Of severe stenosis(46 ICAs and 5 CCAs)and 7vessels in 7 cases of complete occlusion(7 ICAs).The surface of intima and the interface of media-adventitia were depicted clearly by CEUS.The consistent rates in diagnosis on mild-intermediate stenosis,severe stenosis and complete obstruction by baseline ultrasonography and CEUS were 76.5%and 9 1.4%(P＜0.05).60.8%and94.1%(P＜0.001),28.6%and 100%(P＜0.05)respectively when judged by DSA as the golden standard.CEUS and DSA were correlated significantly on calculating the stenosis rate(r=0.975,P＜0.001).Conclusions CEUS can assess the degree of extracranial carotid stenosis accurately and non-invasively which is superior to baseline ultrasonography and correlated significantly with DSA.