[Clinical symptoms and the results of Doppler ultrasonography in stenosis and occlusion of the internal carotid artery].

In 28 patients with stenosis or occlusion of the external carotid artery confirmed by angiography the clinical manifestations were analysed, and the usefulness of Doppler ultrasonography of the arteries for diagnosis was assessed. The clinical manifestations of stenosis or occlusion of the external carotid artery include trophic and vascular signs. The most frequent trophic signs were: premature rapid loss of teeth and atrophy of facial muscles. The vascular clinical signs included weak pulsation of facial arteries. In 26 cases (96%) abnormal USG findings were obtained. The USG investigations showed that despite complete occlusion of the external carotid artery the blood flow in its branches was frequently maintained owing to collateral circulation.