BOSTON, November 15, 2023 – Doctors are increasingly relying on imaging to spot blockages in the carotid arteries-major blood vessels in the neck-but a new study suggests that one method, CT angiography, consistently outperformed duplex ultrasound in pinpointing the severity of those blockages.
CT Scans Offer More Precise Carotid Stenosis Diagnosis
A recent evaluation reveals CT angiography provides a more accurate assessment of carotid stenosis compared to duplex ultrasound,perhaps impacting treatment decisions.
- CT angiography demonstrated higher accuracy in grading the degree of carotid artery narrowing.
- Duplex ultrasound, while widely available, showed limitations in reliably assessing stenosis severity.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for determining the need for interventions like surgery or stenting.
- The study involved 238 patients and compared the results of both imaging techniques against digital subtraction angiography (DSA), considered the gold standard.
Determining the extent of carotid stenosis-narrowing of the carotid arteries-is critical because important blockages can lead to stroke. But which imaging technique offers the clearest picture? That’s what researchers set out to discover.
The Study Details
The research, involving 238 patients, compared CT angiography and duplex ultrasound results against digital subtraction angiography (DSA), considered the gold standard. The findings, published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, revealed that CT angiography significantly outperformed duplex ultrasound in accurately assessing the severity of carotid artery narrowing.
“Accurate assessment of carotid stenosis is paramount,” explained Dr.Emily Carter, lead author of the study. “Underestimating the degree of blockage can lead to a missed opportunity to prevent a stroke.”
Q: Which imaging technique is more accurate for diagnosing carotid stenosis?
A: CT angiography demonstrated significantly higher accuracy compared to duplex ultrasound in assessing the severity of carotid artery narrowing, according to the study’s findings.
Duplex ultrasound remains a valuable tool,notably for its accessibility and lower cost. Though, the study suggests it might potentially be less reliable for accurately grading stenosis, especially in cases where the blockage is moderate or severe. The researchers acknowledge that ultrasound results can be highly operator-dependent, meaning the skill and experience of the technician performing the scan can influence the outcome.
The study’s authors emphasize the need for careful consideration when choosing an imaging modality for evaluating carotid stenosis. While duplex ultrasound can serve as an initial screening tool, CT angiography may be preferred when a more precise assessment is required to guide treatment decisions.
Further research is needed to determine the long-term impact of using CT angiography versus duplex ultrasound on stroke prevention rates. However, this study provides compelling evidence that CT angiography offers a more accurate and reliable method for diagnosing carotid stenosis.
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