[Color-coded Doppler sonography of the carotid artery]

A total of 844 patients were evaluated to compare the value of ultrasonography and color-flow Doppler and to demonstrate the advantage presented by the latter method. In 89%, color-flow assessment was in complete agreement with the duplex assessment. In the remaining 11%, important additional results were discovered in the color-flow examination. Non-stenotic plaques were seen more often (43%) in the wide carotid bulb; stenotic plaques and occlusion were found more often (66% and 82%) in the internal carotid artery. Color-flow Doppler allows the sonomorphological (plaques, stenoses, occlusion) and functional parameters (turbulences, flow enhancement) to be studied at the same time.