Cerebrovascular Ultrasound in Stroke Diagnosis and Its Applications.
10.5124/jkma.2004.47.7.620
- Author:
Jun Hong LEE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, National Health Insurance Corporation, Ilsan Hospital, Korea. jhlee@nhimc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cerebrovascular;
Ultrasound;
TCD;
Carotid;
Atherosclerosis
- MeSH:
Arterial Occlusive Diseases;
Atherosclerosis;
Carotid Arteries;
Diagnosis*;
Follow-Up Studies;
Natural History;
Pathology;
Quality Control;
Stroke*;
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage;
Ultrasonography*;
Vasospasm, Intracranial
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2004;47(7):620-630
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The greatest advances in understanding and treating stroke have occurred during the past 30 years. The advantages of ultrasound for vascular diagnosis are well known: it is a fast, portable, non-invasive, repeatable and inexpensive technique. Among various clinical situations for the application of ultrasound to stroke care, the best established ones include: (1) early detection and characterization of extracranial atherosclerosis and occlusive diseases especially at the carotid bifurcation; (2) evaluation of consequences of proximal arterial occlusive disease on the distal cerebral vasculature; (3) follow-up of the natural history and response to treatment of acute arterial occlusion that causes hyperacute stroke; (4) detection of microemboli associated with cardiac and aortic pathology and carotid artery surgical manipulation; and (5) follow-up of the time course and reversibility of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The field of ultrasonic diagnosis also has detractors and limitations. Even now, the technique is 'operator-dependent' in terms of the accuracy and validity of its results. Newer technology has provided significant advances in this regard; however, it is necessary for each laboratory to maintain a strict quality control in order to maximize the benefits that this powerful technology can provide.
