High resolution real-time B-mode echotomography in the diagnosis of extracranial carotid lesions. Comparison with traditional angiography.

Sixty-three patients (115 carotid arteries) have been examined first by Dopplersonography, then by echotomography and finally by angiography using the Seldinger technique. The comparison between echotomography and angiography showed a sensitivity of 0.9, a specificity of 0.7 and a accuracy of 0.8. There have been 15 false positive results; in 14 of them the lesions were lower than 10% of lumen reduction and in one case there was a 10-45% stenosis. It seems that echotomography can better estimate lower degree lesions. It was difficult for echotomography to detect correctly the presence of an occlusion and to evaluate the surface aspect mainly in the presence of ulcerations.