M. Yasaka, Y. Wakugawa, M. Mori, Y. Nakanishi, Y. Okada
Kyushu Medical Center – Fukuoka, Japan

Objective: We attempted ultrasonographic evaluation of the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with extracranial ICA dissection by using the transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU).

Material and Methods: The subjects consisted of 5 healthy volunteers (33 ± 5 years old) and 5 extracranial ICA dissection patients (45 ± 4 years old). Examinations were performed using a color Doppler flow imaging system equipped with thin and long convex array transducers (9-5 MHz). We inserted a probe covered with thin gum transorally, touching the tip to the pharyngeal postero-lateral wall. We then attempted to detect the ICA and measure ICA diameter and flow velocity of the distal extracranial ICA by TOCU.