Carotid ultrasound.

Carotid ultrasonography has become the preferred imaging technique for screening patients with suspected atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease. The principles underlying duplex Doppler sonography and color and power Doppler ultrasonography are discussed. A standard approach to the performance and interpretation of carotid ultrasonography is presented, together with a discussion of potential diagnostic pitfalls. Brief discussion of transcranial Doppler and vertebral sonography are included.