[Color-coded duplex sonography of the extracranial arteries supplying the brain: diagnostic significance and sources of error in comparison with i.a. DSA].

The findings of color Doppler flow imaging of the extracranial cerebral arteries in 75 patients were compared with i.a. DSA. Carotid stenoses greater than 50% and carotid occlusions were shown by sonography with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 97%. The severity of the stenosis was in agreement in 88% of cases using the two methods. Sonography of the vertebral arteries achieved a sensitivity of only 65% and a specificity of 88%. Sonographic examination of the ophthalmic artery in order to demonstrate carotid stenosis achieved a sensitivity of only 29% and provided no additional information. Retrobulbar kinking of the ophthalmic artery was found in 30/178 vessels and may be a cause of misinterpretation.