Case report

Three-Dimensional Ultrasound in Cerebrovascular Evaluation

Miljenka-Jelena Jurašić
Iris Zavoreo
Vida Demarin

Abstract

Three-dimensional ultrasound has started developing in the fifth decade of the last century using numerous imaging innovations. For the exploration of extracranial circulation, three-dimensional ultrasound is used primarily on carotid arteries that are easy to access due to their anatomical position. In the evaluation of intracranial circulation, three-dimensionality can be achieved only partially due to the size of the bony window that prevents probe movement in all 360°. Three-dimensional ultrasound allows greater spatial resolution than conventional two-dimensional ultrasound. In comparison with magnetic resonance, three-dimensional ultrasound reaches transaxial resolution of 5 mm, longitudinal resolution of up to 10 mm and rotational resolution of up to 40º. Other advantages are noninvasiveness, volumetric tissue analysis instead of planimetric analysis, relatively low cost with high reproduction accuracy, high sensitivity and specificity (r=0.982). The principal shortcomings of three-dimensional ultrasound are the impossibility to distinctly differentiate between periarterial and intra-arterial tissue that will cause problems with tissue segmentation, cost of the ultrasound device that is somewhat more expensive, and the need for a skilled operator. Movement artifacts are most responsible for all artifacts but are easy to diminish with the use of the mechanical arm and ECG synchronization. Three-dimensional ultrasound is best used as a complimentary method of examination along with conventional ultrasound that enables mandatory hemodynamic evaluation. Recently, along with three-dimensional ultrasound, four-dimensional ultrasound is being developed that will allow real time tissue movement analysis and thus atherosclerotic plaque instability assessment.

Keywords

Cerebral arterial diseases - ultrasonography; Carotid stenosis - ultrasonography; Carotid arteries - ultrasonography; Cerebrovascular circulation - physiology; Cerebrovascular circulation - ultrasonography

Hrčak ID:

14078

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/14078

Publication date:

1.12.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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