Value of colour-duplex scanning compared with arteriography for assessment of lower extrimity arterial diseases

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to emphasize the role of colored duplex ultrasound and its capabilities in detecting normal lower limb arterial tree and different morphological alterations caused by arterial diseases using contrast arteriography as the standard test to evaluate the results. Using it, atherosclerotic lesions, hemodynamically significant stenosis [>50% diameter reduction] and occlusions of the arteries both in the pelvic region and in the thigh-knee regions were detected. The study revealed that its high sensitivity [91%] and specificity [74%] for diagnosis and quantifying lower limb arterial diseases. It is more sensitive for femoropopliteal segments diseases [95%] than aortoiliac inflow system [85%]. Also, it is more sensitive to occlusion [95%] than stenosis [84%]. Aneurysms of the arterial tree, aortoiliac or peripheral were accurately diagnosed and assessed with 100% accuracy. It demonstrated the flow pattern inside it, thrombosis within it and its relation to important visceral arteries [renal and mesenteric arteries]