Value of multi-frequency probe in detecting stenosis of the first segment of the vertebral artery

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of multi-frequency probe in detecting the stenosis of the first segment (V1) of the vertebral artery(VA).Methods The neck vascular color Doppler ultrasound exams were performed in 42 cases patients from July 2006 to December 2010 in our hospital diagnosed as the first part of the VA stenosis by angiography. Kappa consistency test evaluation was used for combining high and low frequency ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for diagnosis of the first part of VA stenosis.Results VA stenosis results showed lumen tortuous lesions, visible blood vessels associated with atherosclerosis, intimal thickening, echogenic, small plaque formation; color Doppler showed blood flow within the VA thinning; Spectrum Doppler showed increased blood flow velocity in the proximal stenosis, and distal flow reduction. VA occlusion showed no color flow display. Combined high and low frequency ultrasound mild stenosis of VA segment in 25 cases (59.5%) was diagnosed, severe stenosis in 14 patients (33.3%), and occlusion in 3 cases (7.1%).Of those 3 patients with mild stenosis, 1 patient with moderate to severe stenosis was found with application of low-frequency probe. Angiography in the diagnosis of mild stenosis of VA segment was found in 26 cases, moderate to severe stenosis in 14 cases, occlusion in 2 cases. The combination of high and low frequency probes has the good accordance with the result of DSA, and κ=0.770.75. Conclusion High frequency ultrasound can be combined with VA stenosis as an important diagnostic tool.