Methodical aspects of Doppler ultrasound of the vertebrobasilar system

Abstract

Various pathologies of the cervical vertebrae (instability of the atlanto-axial junction, uncovertebral arthrosis, herniation of intervertebral disks) with combined rotational movements of the neck may contribute to the violation of vertebrobasillary hemodynamics. Doppler ultrasound imaging allows non-invasive recording of blood flow in all segments of the vertebral artery and the basal artery, to evaluate its quantitative parameters. Doppler ultrasound in triplex mode justify the noninvasive approach to obtain quantitative parameters of blood flow, which can be used in various pathological conditions leading to disruption of Vertebrobasilar system hemodynamics. To visualize the first segment of the vertebral artery, especially its mouth, it is advisable to use a micro-convex transducer. In most cases, the second segment of the PA is better to visualize with a linear transducer, and in patients with a short and wide neck - with a convex and microconvex transducers. The third and fourth segments, as well as the basal artery, are equally well visualized by convex and sector transducers. The maximum systolic and end-diastolic velocity, the resistance index in different segments of the vertebral arteries do not differ significantly.