Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection. | ||||||||
|
Vasospasm followed by diastolic flow reversal in the intracranial arteries after subarachnoid haemorrhage.Sharma VK, Pereira AW, Chan BP Division of Neurology, National University Hospital, 5, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore. drvijay@singnet.com.sg Vasospasm and raised intracranial pressure (ICP) are common complications in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Vasospasm can be reliably monitored by repeated transcranial Doppler (TCD) examinations. The changes in flow velocities due to vasospasm are useful for early diagnosis, monitoring effectiveness of treatment and determining prognosis. Intracranial pressure can also increase to dangerous levels and affect blood flow in the intracranial circulation. These changes in ICP may be evaluated by the spectral waveform patterns obtained during TCD examination. We describe the dynamic TCD spectral changes in a patient with SAH that progressed from vasospasm to diastolic flow reversal. These temporal changes observed during serial TCD examinations were well correlated with the ICP. Transcranial Doppler is a reliable, beat-to-beat, non-invasive and reproducible bedside test that can be used to monitor vasospasm and ICP in SAH. The use of TCD can be extended to other intracranial diseases that can potentially lead to an abnormally high ICP. Published 5 March 2007 in J Clin Neurosci, 14(4): 389-91.
© 2004-2008 Ultrasound Research Today. All Rights Reserved. |
| ||||||
