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B-flow imaging in low cervical internal carotid artery dissection
Muharrem Tola1, Mehmet Yurdakul, Turhan Cumhur
1Department of Radiology, Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hospital, Kizilay Sokak 4, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
B-flow imaging (BFI) accurately diagnoses low cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. This newer ultrasound technique shows high sensitivity and specificity, outperforming color Doppler ultrasonography.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Imaging
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Neurology
Background:
- Vascular ultrasonography is the primary tool for internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection evaluation.
- B-flow imaging (BFI) is an emerging ultrasonographic method.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of BFI for low cervical ICA dissection.
- Compare BFI performance against color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and digital subtraction angiography.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen patients with 18 confirmed low cervical ICA dissections and 16 controls underwent BFI and CDU.
- Results were benchmarked against digital subtraction angiography findings.
Main Results:
- BFI demonstrated high diagnostic performance: 94% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 95% accuracy.
- BFI superiorly visualized intimal flaps and true/false lumen flow compared to CDU.
- Observer agreement for BFI was excellent (kappa = 0.80-0.93).
Conclusions:
- B-flow imaging is a reliable ultrasonographic technique for diagnosing low cervical ICA dissection.
- BFI offers enhanced visualization of dissection features.