Value of color Doppler flow imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced carotid artery injury

Objective:To evaluate the value of color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) in the diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced carotid artery injury.Methods:After radiotherapy,17 patients with head and neck cancer were performed CDFI of carotid,which was used to evaluate the efficacy of carotid artery angioplasty and stent(CAAS) with carotid artery severe stenosis or occlusion.Results:Among 17 patients,left subclavian artery severe stenosis in 3 cases,right subclavian artery occlusion in 1 case,moderate or severe internal carotid artery(unilateral and bilateral) stenosis in 8 cases among which 3 cases were severe stenosis,moderate or severe common carotid artery(unilateral and bilateral) stenosis in 5 cases,among which 2 cases were severe stenosis.All arterial lesion limited to the radiation field.9 patients with severe stenosis or occlusion lesions were performed CAAS.The arterial lesions were considered to be cured clinically after follow-up by CDFI.Conclusion:CDFI is one of effective means in diagnosis of radiation-induced carotid artery injury,and it provides a reliable method to assess the curative effect.