A rapid noninvasive method to visualize ruptured aneurysms in the emergency room: three-dimensional power Doppler imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasonography imaging provides a rapid, noninvasive visualization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms, including their relationship to other vascular structures.


METHODS
The authors used transcranial 3D power Doppler imaging in the emergency room to examine patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. In all patients, the ruptured aneurysm was rapidly located with 3D power Doppler imaging. Conventional x-ray angiography confirmed both the ultrasonography-based diagnosis and the location of aneurysmal bleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results indicate that 3D power Doppler imaging is a rapid, noninvasive screening method for the visualization of ruptured aneurysms.
Perren
Fabienne
F
Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuroradiology, University of Heidelberg, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
Horn
Peter
P
Kern
Rolf
R
Bueltmann
Eva
E
Hennerici
Michael
M
Meairs
Stephen
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017542:Aneurysm, Ruptured / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods*