Colour-flow Doppler imaging of a carotid-cavernous fistula

The authors describe a case of carotid-cavernous fistula evaluated with both conventional carotid angiography and colour-flow Doppler ultrasonography. The findings in the colour-flow Doppler images correlated well with those from angiography; in addition, Doppler imaging supplied extra information about the direction and the velocity of flow. After embolization, colour-flow Doppler imaging demonstrated a marked decrease in the flow. The authors conclude that colour-flow Doppler imaging may be useful for noninvasively detecting and evaluating a carotid-cavernous fistula, as well as for monitoring the patient's progress after therapy.