Comparison of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage.

This study compared sensitivity and specificity of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. Carotid plaques from 50 patients operated for carotid artery stenosis were analyzed. Carotid endarterectomy was performed within one week of diagnostic evaluation. Results of multidetector-row computed tomography and duplex Doppler ultrasonography diagnostic evaluation were compared with results of histological analysis of the same plaque areas. American Heart Association classification of atherosclerotic plaques was applied for histological classification. Median tissue density of carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage was 14.7 Hounsfield units. Median tissue density of noncalcified segments of uncomplicated plaques was 54.3 Hounsfield units (p = 0.00003). The highest tissue density observed for complicated plaques was 31.8 Hounsfield units. Multidetector-row computed tomography detected plaques complicated with hemorrhage with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 70.4%, with tissue density of 33.8 Hounsfield units as a threshold value. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography plaque analysis based on visual in-line classification showed sensitivity of 21.7% and specificity of 89.6% in detecting plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. Multidetector-row computed tomography showed a very high level of sensitivity and a moderate level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography plaque analysis based on visual in-line classification showed a low level of sensitivity and a moderate-high level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage.

Effect of carotid sinus nerve blockade on hemodynamic stability during carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether routine carotid sinus nerve blockade with lidocaine during carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia results in perioperative changes in blood pressure and heart rate. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, single-center study, conducted in a university hospital. A total of 120 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Patients with previous carotid endarterectomy were excluded from the study. During the operation the carotid sinus area was infiltrated as follows: group 1 received 2 mL of 1% lidocaine; group 2 received 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl; and group 3 received no infiltration. The carotid sinus nerve was spared in all patients. Blood pressure and heart rate were invasively monitored during the operation and 12 hours postoperatively over the radial artery cannula. Preoperative values were calculated as a mean of three noninvasive measurements on the day before surgery. Data comprised of arterial blood pressures and heart rates from 32 time point measurements for each patient were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference among the groups regarding the mean arterial blood pressures and mean heart rates during the follow-up period. There was no significant difference among groups regarding the number of patients that required vasoactive therapy at any time of measurement. CONCLUSION: Routine infiltration of carotid sinus area with 1% lidocaine during carotid endarterectomy performed under local anesthesia has no significant impact on mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate during the operative procedure and the following 12 postoperative hours.

Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery in a patient with multiple hereditary exostoses.

We present an interesting case of a 14-year-old girl with multiple hereditary exostoses. She presented with a few days history of a pulsative mass in the distal third of the right upper thigh. Leg radiography showed multiple exostoses of distal femur, proximal tibia, and fibula. Large pseudoaneurysm of popliteal artery was found in Doppler sonography. The diagnosis was verified with multi-slice computed tomography of both legs along with the digital subtraction angiography of right leg. The patient then underwent surgery. After surgery the patient's vascular status was regular, with no signs of pseudoaneurysm.

Multidetector-row computed tomography in evaluation of atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage.

Our aim was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage. We examined carotid plaques from 31 patients operated for carotid artery stenosis. Results of preoperative multidetector-row CT analysis of carotid plaques were compared with results of histological analysis of the same plaque areas. Carotid endarterectomy was performed within 1 week of multidetector-row CT. American Heart Association classification of atherosclerotic plaques was applied for histological classification. Median tissue density of carotid plaques complicated with intraplaque hemorrhage was 22 Hounsfield units (HU). Median tissue density of noncalcified segments of uncomplicated plaques was 59 HU (p=0.0062). The highest tissue density observed for complicated plaques was 31 HU. Multidetector-row CT detected plaques complicated with hemorrhage with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 64.7%, with tissue density of 31 HU as a threshold value. Multidetector-row CT showed a high level of sensitivity and a moderate level of specificity in detecting atherosclerotic carotid plaques complicated with hemorrhage.

[Role of 0.5 T magnetic resonance and duplex ultrasonography in the imaging of stenotic and oblitertive changes in the carotid arteries]. / Uloga magnetskog rezonatora 0.5 T i dupleks ultrasonografije u prikazu stenoticko-obliterativnih promjena arterije karotis.

The aim of the study was to determine diagnostic value of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the carotid artery, performed with less expensive machine of 0.5 T, and value of duplex ultrasonography (DU) in the same patients. Diagnostic values of MRA and DU were examined by comparison with the results of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or with the operative finding. All MRA examinations were performed in the same diagnostic center, but DU diagnostic procedures were performed in five different centres. In total, we examined 70 arteries in 37 patients. Among them, 66 arteries in 33 patients were compared with DSA and four arteries in four patients with operative findings. All patients were referred to DSA after MRA and DU. In four patients four carotid arteries were operated without DSA due to previous allergic reaction to iodinated contrast agent. The positive result in present examination was stenosis of the carotid artery more than 70% of the arterial lumen. Such stenosis is considered as an indication for active therapeutic approach using vascular surgery or transluminal angioplasty. Results indicate more true positive results for MRA (21 patients) than for DU (20 patients). Also, we found more true negative results for MRA (45 patients) than for DU (44 patients). MRA had one false positive and three false negative results, and DU two false positive and 4 false negative results. Sensitivity of MRA in our group of patients was 88% and specificity 98%. In the same group DU had sensitivity 83% and specificity 96%. Our results showed that neither MRA nor DU separately could replace DSA in diagnosis of high grade carotid stenosis. Because of high specificity, negative MRA or DU can exclude significant stenosis and avoid DSA. In the case of similar positive results of MRA and DU, the number of DSA can be reduced.

[Diagnostic results of the carotid artery duplex ultrasonography performed in the private offices in Zagreb]. / Dijagnosticki rezultati dupleks ultrasonografije arterije karotis u privatnim ordinacijama grada Zagreba.

The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic value of duplex ultrasonography (DU) of the cerebral arteries in the patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency performed in private offices in Zagreb town. The investigation was performed for all patients referred to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) after DU examination performed in one of private offices (in total, 12 offices) during the period of three years. During mentioned period 127 patients were examined (100 male, 67 female, age 28-79 y, mean 62 y) according to DU exams performed in private offices. Other patients, who had DU examinations in offices other than private, were not examined in present investigation. The method of investigation was prospective comparison between DSA and DU findings, where DSA was used as the gold standard. The investigation was performed by three radiologists prospectively. They did not know DU findings before performing DSA. The pathological findings of the supraaortal arteries and especially significant stenoses (70%-99%) of the extracranial part of the carotid arteries, obliteration and ulcerated plaques were examined. For the significant stenoses of the carotid arteries, which are indication for operative treatment, DU showed sensitivity of only 63%, specificity 79%, positive predictive value 60% and negative predictive value 81%. The diagnostic difference between occlusion and subtotal stenosis of the carotid artery was also very important. DSA showed 18 occluded arteries, while DU presented 20, nine of them false positive and seven false negative (sensitivity 36%). DU diagnosed ulcerated plaque in only three out of 37 patients, including two false positive and 36 false negative results. According to results presented here, DU of the carotid arteries performed in analysed practices are not reliable and the price of DU presents expense without benefit. The insufficient education of the doctors and defective regulations of the private practices are the possible reasons for such results.