Evaluation function of transcranial two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography (TCCS) for patients with different degrees of cerebral vasospasm before and after the nimodipine treatment.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in cerebral hemodynamics of patients with different degrees of cerebral vasospasm before and after the nimodipine treatment using transcranial two-dimensional and color Doppler ultrasonography (TCCS). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 77 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage was collected; and the maximum peak systolic velocity (Vs), end diastolic velocity (Vd), time averaged maximum velocity (Vm), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of middle cerebral artery (MCA) were measured by spectral Doppler technique. The standard-dose nimodipine was given for clinical treatment, and changes in blood flow velocity of MCA were monitored by TCCS, and the therapeutic effect was observed. RESULTS 68 out of 77 patients (88.3%) with subarachnoid hemorrhage were diagnosed as cerebral vasospasm (CVS), including 53 cases (77.9%) of mild spasm, 11 cases (16.2%) of moderate spasm and 4 cases (5.9%) of severe spasm. The sensibility of CVS detected by TCCS after operation was 88.3%. Color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) showed that the blood flow was multicolored. After the nimodipine treatment, the measured values of MCA-Vs and RI were decreased in different degrees compared with those before treatment. CONCLUSIONS Nimodipine has improving effects on CVS in different degrees, and TCCS can be used to evaluate the therapeutic effects on CVS.