The application of color Doppler ultrasonography in congenital variation of the vertebral artery

Objective To evaluate the Color Doppler Ultrasonography (CDU) in diagnosis of congenital variation of the vertebral artery and clinical significance. Methods A total of 2732 cases with highly suspected as vertebrobasilar insufficiency were applied with CDU. The vascular morphological changes and hemodynamics of the vertebral artery were observed. Results In all cases, 589 cases of congenital abnomal vertebral artery were diagnosed and the abnormal rate was 21.6%. Of all, 6 cases were originally abnormal and 240 cases were abnormal with the entry position of vertebral artery into the foramen in transverse process of cervical vertebrae. Vertebral artery dysplasia were observed in 520 cases. Conclusion The study showed that CDU has the potential to display the vascular morphological changes and hemodynamics of the extracranial vertebral artery. The CDU could be help for evaluating congenital variation of the vertebral artery,which should be considered as routine clinical evaluation.