[Correlation between low cerebral flow velocities determined by transcranial ultrasound and lacunar cerebral infarction].
OBJECTIVE
The diagnostic meaning of generalized low flow velocity in the basal cerebral arteries is not clear. We tried to find some correlation to diagnostic imaging.


METHODS
Among 2356 transcranial doppler investigations we identified 21 patients who had a mean flow velocity in both of the medial cerebral arteries (MCA) below 38 cm/s and showed no obstruction of the internal carotid arteries determined with extracranial Doppler or duplex sonography. The results of the computed tomography were reviewed by an independent neuroradiologist and assessed by a semiquantitative score system. The same was done for an age- and sex-matched control group with flow velocities above 38 cm/s in the MCA bilaterally.


RESULTS
There were significantly more (14/21) patients with lacunar infarction in the target group than in the control group (3/21). For territorial infarction, diffuse white matter lesions, and atrophy there were no differences in the score values.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a correlation of generalized low flow velocities in the basal cerebral arteries and the presence of lacunar infarction.
Mindach
M
M
Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Frankfurt/Oder, Germany. Neurologie@klinikumffo.de
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial