title: [Carotid bruit: what should be done? Color duplex ultrasound indicates if operation is necessary].
abstract: Carotid bruits need to be investigated without delay. The best imaging procedure available is color-coded duplex ultrasonography in the hands of an experienced examiner. Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography should be used only when a surgical option appears indicated and the surgeon requests it prior to the operation. Determination of the intima/media thickness with the aid of the B scan provides good prognostic information. In the case of higher-grade stenoses with corresponding symptomatology, carotid surgery is indicated. Before carrying out such operations, however, the patient's risk and the surgery-related risk of a stroke or some other event occurring must be carefully weighed, one against the other, with the results achieved by the surgeon in this area being a major factor.
authors.affiliation: Klinik Feldafing.
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Spengel
mesh_terms: D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color