Duplex carotid sonography: criteria for stenosis, accuracy, and pitfalls.
Both carotid bifurcations were examined in 353 patients over a 20-month interval using a combination of real-time and pulsed Doppler ultrasound (duplex scanning). Angiographic correlation was available in 72 cases. Stenosis of the internal carotid was evaluated using a Doppler input frequency of 5 MHz and a scan angle of 60 degrees. A peak frequency shift of less than 3.5 kHz was found to be a sign of less than or equal to 30% stenosis; 3.5-4 kHz with moderate turbulence suggested 31-50% stenosis, 4-8 kHz 51-90% stenosis, and greater than 8 kHz greater than 90% stenosis. Subtotal stenosis (greater than 95%) was manifested by a frequency shift of less than 8 kHz, but the waveform was totally distorted. Overall accuracy improved from 77% for the first 6 months to 87% for the last 14 months. For stenosis greater than 50%, sensitivity improved from 82% to 97% during this period. Analysis of errors and suggestions for avoiding them are presented.
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*