Colour Doppler Study of Extracranial Carotid Arteries in Stroke.

The current observational study was conducted to evaluate the morphology of extracranial parts of carotid arteries by colour doppler in patients of stroke and to assess the peak systolic velocity ratio of internal carotid artery/common carotid artery and its utility in diagnosis of the carotid arterial disease. Duplex ultrasound is an inexpensive, non-invasive method that can provide functional and anatomical information about vessel stenosis and plaque morphology. It is a sensitive method for detection of atherosclerotic plaque and provides considerable information about the extent and severityof plaque as well as the resulting diminution of arterial lumen.The study of Colour Doppler of carotid arteries was carried on 35 patients presenting with stroke. The data gathered included grey scale and Doppler findings of common carotid, internal carotid and external carotid arteries. In this study, the commonest lesion found was the atherosclerotic plaque. Most common risk factor for increased intima -media thickness of carotid vessel is found in patients with history of smoking > 10 years. Atheromatous plaque was most commonly found in the left carotid and bilateral system (41.1%). Most common site for atheromatous plaque was found to be carotid bifurcation (48.5%). Significant stenosis (i.e. >40%) was found in 24(64%) of the cases. Peak systolic velocity ratio showed significant stenosis in 24 (68.5%) of patients. The role of carotid Doppler in detecting the site and morphology of atherosclerotic plaque with quantifying the amount of stenosis is very welljustified. In addition carotid Doppler can also be used to assess the prognosis in potential symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with one or the other risk factors for cerebrovascular disease.