Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026
Using Laser Doppler Imaging and Monitoring to Analyze Spinal Cord Microcirculation in Rat
Published on: May 30, 2018
Color Doppler analysis of vertebral arteries: correlative study with angiographic data
Osman Kizilkilic1, Cem Hurcan, Ismail Mihmanli
1Department of Radiology, Baskent University Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center, 01250 Yuregir-Adana, Turkey. ebos90@hotmail.com
Insights
Color Doppler ultrasonography of normal vertebral arteries shows no significant differences in flow or diameter related to carotid stenosis or vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Left vertebral arteries had higher flow volume and diameter than right ones.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Color Doppler ultrasonography is standard for diagnosing brain artery obstructive disease.
- Limited studies correlate ultrasonography and angiography for vertebral arteries, especially with carotid bifurcation stenosis.
- Normal vertebral arteries without collateral flow require further characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate diameter, flow volume, and velocities in normal vertebral arteries using angiography.
- Establish a potential threshold for vertebral artery flow volume.
- Correlate findings with carotid stenosis and vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 120 patients undergoing carotid angiography.
- Color Doppler ultrasonography assessed luminal diameter, velocities, and flow volume.
- Parameters compared across sexes, age groups, carotid stenosis severity, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency presence.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in vertebral artery parameters based on carotid stenosis degree or vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
- Left vertebral arteries exhibited larger diameter and higher flow volume than right arteries.
- Flow volume values were similar between sexes and across carotid stenosis groups.
Conclusions:
- Vertebral artery flow volume and diameter are not significantly affected by carotid stenosis or vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
- Parameters remain consistent regardless of stenosis severity (≤50% vs. >50%) or clinical symptoms.
- Findings support the use of color Doppler ultrasonography for assessing vertebral arteries in relevant patient populations.
Objective:
Color Doppler ultrasonography is the most widespread diagnostic procedure in obstructive disease of the arteries supplying the brain. To our knowledge, there are only a few correlative color Doppler ultrasonographic and angiographic studies of the vertebral arteries, especially in patients who have flow-restrictive stenosis at the carotid bifurcation. The main purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate diameter, flow volume, and time-averaged mean velocities of angiographically verified normal vertebral arteries without collateral flow. The second purpose was to try to establish a threshold value for the flow volume of the vertebral artery.
Methods:
One hundred twenty patients referred for carotid angiography with a normal vertebrobasilar system and with no patent posterior communicating arteries were investigated with color Doppler ultrasonography. Luminal diameter, time-averaged mean velocity, peak systolic velocity, and flow volume values were calculated for each patient. The parameters were compared between sexes, in different age groups, in patients with carotid stenosis of 50% or less and greater than 50%, and in patients who had clinical signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency versus those who had not.
Results:
We have found no significant difference in evaluated parameters with the degree of associated carotid stenosis or vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Diameter and flow volume values on the left side were higher than on the right side.
Conclusions:
We found similar flow volume values of vertebral arteries in both sexes and both groups of patients with carotid stenosis of 50% or less and greater than 50%. All parameters did not differ in patients with stenosis of 50% or less and greater than 50% and in patients with and without clinical signs of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:19Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)