Carotid stenosis

Diagnosis of carotid stenosis

Carotid artery stenosis can be discovered by ultrasound, MRA, or CT angiography

Carotid artery stenosis is diagnosed by blood vessel tests such as carotid artery ultrasound (Doppler sonography), which involves placing an ultrasound probe on the neck, MRA (a scan to view blood vessels with MRI), and CT angiography, and can easily be diagnosed in outpatient clinics. It has recently become possible to diagnose not only the location and severity of the stenosis, but the properties of the arteriosclerosis and the speed of blood flow as well, and to select the best method of treatment on the basis of such results. If treatment is required, patients are hospitalized and a test known as angiography, in which a chemical known as a contrast agent that shows up on X-ray pictures is injected into the carotid artery via a catheter and the carotid artery is scanned, is performed. Other tests, including MRI of the brain to investigate the condition where the blood reaches it, nuclear medicine cerebrovascular tests, or special MRI tests to identify the properties of the arteriosclerosis, may also be necessary. It is also important to check blood vessels in other organs, including the heart, to see if they are suffering from similar conditions.

Carotid stenosis is demonstrated in various radiological studies.

[ Studies for carotid stenosis ]

A blood flow in the carotid artery is demonstrated.

[ Other studies before surgery for the carotid stenosis ]

Treatment of carotid stenosis

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