Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of transcranial doppler (TCD) combined with carotid ultrasound (CU) in cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS).
Methods: A total of 68 patients with CIS who were treated in our hospital from September 2018 to September 2020 were selected as the research group, and another 68 patients with non-CIS admitted during the same period were selected as the reference group. Both groups underwent TCD and CU examinations to compare their diagnostic values.
Results: There were no distinct differences concerning clinical data such as gender ratio, age, BMI value, smoking history, residence, and complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). The carotid artery intima-media thickening was reported at a markedly higher rate in the research group compared to the reference group (P < 0.001). It was indicated by the CU examination that the degree of carotid artery stenosis in the research group was more severe compared with the reference group (P < 0.05). The patients in the research group experienced more severe intracranial artery stenosis relative to the reference group by the TCD examination (P < 0.05). The plaque morphology of the research group was predominantly irregular, and the internal echoes were predominantly hypoechoic. The plaque morphology in the reference group was predominantly regular, and the internal echoes were predominantly isoechoic. There was remarkably higher incidence of the research group (78%) with ulcer as compared to the reference group (P < 0.05), and no marked difference was observed in the incidence of calcification (P > 0.05). The combined diagnostic approach was superior to TCD and CUS alone in the terms of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: TCD combined with CU can greatly improve the diagnostic efficiency of CIS, and provide more evidence for clinical therapy. It deserves promotion and use.
Keywords: Transcranial doppler ultrasound; carotid ultrasound; cerebral ischemic stroke; diagnostic significance.
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