THE VALUE OF TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER AND CT ANGIOGRAPHY IN SCREENING EXTRACRANIAL CAROTID ARTERIAL STENOSIS AND FOLLOW-UP REVIEW AFTER A STENT PLACEMENT

Objective To assess the value of transcranial Doppler(TCD) and CT angiography(CTA) in screening extracranial carotid arterial stenosis(CAS) and in follow-up study for patients undergoing carotid artery stent placement(CASP). Methods A CASP was performed in 108 patients with extracranial CAS,who were screened by TCD and CTA,and confirmed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA).At six months after stenting,all the patients underwent TCD,24 received both CTA and DSA,55 had a CTA,and 29 had a DSA.The findings of TCD and CTA were compared with that of DSA. Results Taking DSA result as a gold standard,the results of TCD and CTA were compared with DSA,the consistency of preoperative diagnosis of extracranial CAS was excellent.Post-stenting follow-up using TCD and CTA,both of the methods were 100% coincident with the follow-up findings of DSA. Conclusion Both TCD and CTA are reliable in identification of extracranial CAS,a combination of this two techniques can be used to replace DSA in patient selection and postoperative review for those with this condition.