Three-dimensional assessment of extracranial Doppler sonography in carotid artery stenosis compared with digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Difficulties in data presentation, data storage, and a high interobserver variability may influence color-coded Duplex sonography assessment of internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS). The aim of our study was to evaluate the between-method agreement of ICAS using 3D color Doppler sonography (CDS) compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA). METHODS Forty-nine patients with 64 ICASs (age 64+/-9 years) were involved. The patients were investigated with a color-coded duplex system using the power mode. The 3D system consists of an electromagnet that induces a low-intensity magnetic field near the patient's head. A magnetic position sensor is attached to the probe and transmits the spatial orientation to a personal computer. RESULTS A total of 62 ICASs were reconstructed successfully with 3D CDS in 47 of 49 patients. High agreement for 2 independent observers was found in 3D CDS (weighted kappa coefficient of 0.88). Three-dimensional CDS slightly underestimated the mean stenotic degree (mean 3D CDS 68.47+/-10.5 versus DSA 71.3+/-10.0). The intermethod agreement comparing DSA with 3D CDS was analyzed with the Bland and Altman test, which showed good agreement. Mean sensitivity of 3D CDS was 93%, mean specificity 82.5%, mean positive predictive value 82%, and mean negative predictive value 98%. CONCLUSIONS The 3D CDS findings demonstrated good agreement compared with the gold standard, DSA, yielding higher accuracy than CDS alone. Compared with angiography or magnetic resonance angiography, 3D CDS can be performed easily on critically ill patients in stroke or intensive care units and may therefore provide a useful tool for patients unable to undergo more invasive imaging techniques.