PPN

Archive 1992–2014

2004, tom 13, zeszyt 3

Clinical hints

Diagnostic accuracy of the transcranial Doppler ultrasound in casus of the middle cerebral artery vasospasm

JAN KOCHANOWICZ¹, JAROSŁAW KREJZA^2,3, ANDRZEJ LEWSZUK², KAZIMIERZ KORDECKI², JANUSZ LEWKO¹, ZENON MARIAK¹

1. Kliniki Neurochirurgii Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku

2. Zakładu Radiologii Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku

3. Division of Neuroradiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 2004, 13 (3), 277-282

Keywords: transcranial color Doppler ultrasound, cerebral vasospasm, subarachnoid hemorrhage

Summary

Objectives. The transcranial Doppler ultrasound development for use in the diagnosis of the middle cerebral artery vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage is described.

Review. Limitations of a conventional ultrasound, the precursor of the transcranial color Doppler ultrasound used for estimation of blood flow velocity are discussed. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TUD) accuracy is evaluated by analysis of the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC). The velocity threshold for recognition of the middle cerebral artery vasospasm is also established. Standardization taking into account patients' age and gender, as well as the Lindegaard score (VMCA/VICA) make the method more precise, especially in the diagnosis of small intensity vasospasms.

Conclusion. The results show that newer methods of transcranial Doppler ultrasound, using colour blood flow estimation are becoming an essential tool in the hands of the neuroradiologist.

Correspondence address

Dr Jan Kochanowicz,
Klinika Neurochirurgii Akademii Medycznej, ul. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 24a,
15-276 Białystok,
e-mail: janekl3@op.pl