Value of sonographic contrast agents in the evaluation of the cerebral arteries
Deklunder, G.; Gautier, C.; Boivin, V.
Journal de Radiologie 84(12 Part 2): 2063-2068
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0221-0363 PMID: 14710038 Document Number: 561672
Stroke is a frequent and severe disorder. Most strokes are ischemic in nature and 20% are due to atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries. Sonographic examination plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of patients with cerebrovascular disease. However, shortcomings can be encountered in the ultrasound evaluation of cervical and intracranial arteries. Contrast agents are known to improve the signal / noise ratio and they can therefore compensate for these shortcomings in most cases. They have proved to be helpful in unfavorable examinations in daily practice. Moreover, their use increases the accuracy and the potential of the technique especially in the intra-cranial examination, increasing the role of ultrasound techniques.