Application of Color Doppler Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Objective To investigate the effects of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of SSS(Subclavian Steal Syndrome) based on its two-dimensional and color spectrum Doppler imaging features. Methods Two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed in 35 patients who had been identified as SSS according to the DSA(Digital Substraction Angiography) results and clinical diagnosis. Then, all the patients were classified into 3 different types on the basis of their retrograde flow in the vertebral arteries: the complete type(complete retrograde flow in the systolic phase), the partial type(partial retrograde flow in the systolic phase) and the insidious type(appearance of notches in the systolic phase). Results Atherosclerosis and aortoarteritis, as two major causes of the SSS, were found in 33 cases and 2 among 35 patients respectively. Vessel stenoses or occlusions were revealed in the subclavian or innominate arterial lesions with appearance of retrograde flow on the diseased side of vertebral arteries. According to the spectral characteristics of the vertebral arteries, all the patients were classified into 3 different types: the complete type in 8 cases, the partial type in 11 cases and 16 cases of the insidious type. Conclusion The characteristics of two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography in manifestations of SSS can serve as diagnostic criteria in the cause analysis and typeclassifying clinical identification of SSS.