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Transoral carotid ultrasonography
1Department of Medicine, National Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan. yasakam@hsp.ncvc.go.jp
Stroke
|July 11, 1998
Summary
Transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) shows promise for evaluating the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA). This novel method successfully visualized the ICA and its flow in healthy volunteers and stroke patients.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Neurosonology
- Carotid Artery Imaging
Background:
- The distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) is challenging to evaluate with conventional ultrasonography.
- Transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) is a novel technique explored for this purpose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) for evaluating the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA).
- To measure flow velocity in the distal extracranial ICA using TOCU.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a color Doppler flow imaging system with convex array transducers (7 or 9.5 MHz).
- Performed TOCU on five healthy volunteers and seven stroke patients after local pharyngeal anesthesia.
- Inserted a probe transorally to visualize the distal extracranial ICA and measure flow velocity.
Main Results:
- TOCU was successfully performed in all subjects without difficulty.
- In healthy volunteers, the ICA was visualized at a depth of 2.2+/-0.6 cm with a diameter of 4.7+/-0.2 mm and mean flow velocity of 50+/-7 cm/s.
- In stroke patients, TOCU identified findings such as ICA narrowing, occlusion, and decreased flow velocity, correlating with clinical conditions.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary data suggest TOCU is a potentially applicable method for evaluating the far distal extracranial ICA.
- Further investigation of TOCU is warranted for patients with carotid artery disease.