Evaluation of a microconvex array transducer for the ultrasonographic examination of the intrathoracic segments of the supraaortic arteries.
OBJECTIVE
Due to the geometry of linear array transducers and the anatomy of the supraclavicular, and jugular fossa it is often impossible to get an appropriate ultrasonic view of the intrathoracic segments of the supraaortic arteries and their origin from the aortic arch. We aimed to compare a conventional linear with a microconvex array transducer for their ability to visualize these vessel segments.


METHODS
We examined 21 volunteers for the intrathoracic segments of the common carotid arteries (CCA), subclavian arteries (SA), vertebral arteries (VA), brachiocephalic (innominate) artery (IA), and the visibility of the aortic arch (AA) with a 5.7-10.0-MHz linear array and a 3.5-11.5-MHz microconvex array transducer.


RESULTS
The most proximal segment of the left CCA (0% vs. 47.6%, P= .0005), the left SA (0% vs. 23.8%, P= .0478), the left VA (47.6% vs. 90.5%, P= .0063), the IA (14.2% vs. 61.9%, P= .0036), and the AA (4.8% vs. 52.4%, P= .0014) were significantly more often visualized with the microconvex than with the linear probe.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to its much smaller contact surface, the microconvex array transducer revealed a better and more extended view of the intrathoracic segments of the supraaortic arteries and the aortic arch.
von Sarnowski
Bettina
B
Department of Neurology, Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. Bettina.vonSarnowski@ uni-greifswald.de
Khaw
Alexander V
AV
Kessler
Christof
C
Schminke
Ulf
U
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014159:Transducers; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex / Q000379:methods*