[Catheter dilatation of arteries supplying the brain].

Stenoses of the extracranial cerebral arteries can be successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal dilatation (PTD). Early and late results of PTD are comparable to those of vascular surgery, but are not accompanied by its morbidity and mortality rates. In 32 patients with subclavian steal syndrome PTD showed a technical success rate of 88% and a clinical cure rate of 72%. The fibrodysplastic carotid artery stenosis is well suited for PTD. These lesions often extend to the skull base causing difficulties for surgical correction. First experiences with PTD of atherosclerotic carotid artery stenosis are promising, but the efficacy of this procedure must be confirmed by a greater number of treated patients. PTD of the vertebral and basilar arteries present new therapeutic possibilities in the management of vertebrobasilar insufficiency demanding further evaluation.