[Extracranial carotid stenosis and its sonographic diagnosis]

The direct Doppler examination of the carotid arteries as a method to detect and distinguish stenoses and occlusions of the common, internal, and external carotid arteries allows to decide on operability and indication for surgical treatment. The exact observation of the acoustical flow signals permits to a high degree an identification of even small stenoses and arteriosclerotic plaques. In 125 angiographical controls 95% of the sonographic diagnoses, in stenoses larger than 50% correct diagnosis could be established even up to about 99%. There were no false positive sonographic findings. Because of our good results we did not consider it necessary in recent time to perform an angiography before surgery in 25 patients. These patients had a high angiographic risk and there was a clear cut Doppler finding of an extreme stenosis in the internal carotid artery.