Assessment of the course and division patterns of the middle cerebral artery M1 segment. Transcranial power doppler compared with 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography at 3 T.
OBJECTIVE
The present study was undertaken to assess the ability of bedside transcranial color-coded sonography (TCCS) to define the course and the patterns of the division of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 segment compared with 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at 3 T.


METHODS
Because MRA is considered as a reliable noninvasive technique to depict the normal anatomy of the intracranial artery, we prospectively defined the course and the patterns of division of 100 MCA M1 segments using bedside TCCS and compared the results with MRA findings.


RESULTS
In 68/85 cases (80%), the sonographer was able to define the division of the M1 segment, and classified these as bipode for 50/68 (73.5%), monopode for 16/68 (23.5%) and tripode for 2/68 (3%). A comparison of the TCCS and MRA findings showed a perfect correlation (100%) for the course of the M1 segment. As for the type of division, the correlation was good in 45/68 of cases (67%). TCCS had a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 67%, a positive predictive value of 87% and a negative predictive value of 52%, when used to determine whether the division was bipode or not.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that bedside TCCS can now provide anatomical information on the M1 segment of the MCA.
Vuillier
Fabrice
F
Department of Neurology, Jean Minjoz CHU, University of Franche-Comté Medical School, Besançon, France. fabrice.vuillier@univ-fcomte.fr
Medeiros
Elisabeth
E
Tatu
Laurent
L
Cattin
Françoise
F
Bonneville
Jean-François
JF
Moulin
Thierry
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020768:Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods*