Evaluation of Carotid Vessels and Vertebral Artery in Stroke Patients with Color Doppler Ultrasound and MR Angiography

AIM & OBJECTIVES To evaluate the cause of stroke and to compare accuracies of both Color Doppler & MRA in stroke patients. To delineate pitfalls during imaging, interpretations and limitations of Color Doppler ultrasound. MATERIALS & METHODS This study was carried out in 50 patients who had presented with symptoms of strokes at Krishna institute of medical sciences, Karad from August 2013 to September 2015. Color Doppler examination and MRA was performed. RESULTS The highest number of stroke patients in our study were males and most common in the age group of 50 to 70 years. Hemiparesis [40 %] and family history of stroke [38 %] were the common causes. MRA was inaccurate in assessing 50-70 % stenosis because of its false positives due to overestimation of the stenosis. Carotid Bulb was the commonest site affected by the plaque. Collaterals circulation was seen in 33 patients in MRA, none on Doppler. CONCLUSION Collaterals, distal intracranial segment morphology and length of the occlusion can be better assessed by MRA. Doppler has better role in the evaluation of the morphology of the stenosis especially plaque morphology and in estimating the degree of stenosis. In cases where doppler assessment does not allow full visualization of carotid bifurcation, MRA is required.