Value of three images in diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis

Objective To evaluate the value of noninvasive images in diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis.Methods Forty-two patients with clinical suspected carotid stenosis were examined by color duplex flow imaging(CDFI),magnetic resonance angiography(MRA) and digital substrate angiography(DSA).The percentage of stenosis was calculated by using common carotid method(CC).Results The positive rate of carotid artery plaques in CDFI was superior to that in MRA and DSA.With the findings of DSA as gold standard,for CDFI and MRA in diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis and occlusion,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were 90.9% vs 94.5%,65.5% vs 86.2% and 82.1% vs 91.7%,respectively.Conclusion Noninvasive images(CDFI,MRA) have mutual effect.CDFI and MRA cooperative use is necessary.CDFI and MRA may be the methods of general investigation and case selection in diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis.