Abstract：Objective: To investigate the value of endoluminal convex array probe in detecting internal carotid arterial(ICA) disease. Methods: 146 ICA of 73 cases were examined with endoluminal convex array probe and high-frequency linear probe respectively to collect following data: visible length, color Doppler appearance and peak systolic velocity(PSV). PSVICA/PSVCCA ratio was calculated in 18 cases of unilateral ICA stenosis diagnosed with DSA to compare the accuracy of evaluating stenosis with two different probes. Result: Visible length and PSV from high-frequency linear probe are (2.05±0.35)cm and (89.8±20.9)cm/s and those from endoluminal convex array probe are (4.41±0.32)cm and (116.8±35.1)cm/s, the difference between them is significant(P<0.05). Satisfied grey and color Doppler images can be obtained with endoluminal convex array probe in 41 ICA which were difficult to be examined with high-frequency linear probe. Thirty-one ICA were detected twisting in “V” or “S” appearance with endoluminal convex array probe, while only 19 ICA were detected in abnormal appearance with high-frequency linear probe. For 18 ICA with 70%~99% stenosis diagnosed by DSA, the accuracy of diagnosis is 72.2% with high-frequency linear probe, but 94.4% with endoluminal convex array probe. Conclusion: Endoluminal convex array probe is an effective complement for ICA inspection with high-frequency linear probe because visible length of ICA could be significantly increased with endoluminal convex array probe which is valuable for detecting pathologic changes in middle or distal parts of ICA.
2009, Vol. 20 
