Accuracy of Transcranial Doppler Compared With CT Angiography in Diagnosing Arterial Obstructions in Acute Ischemic Strokes

Patients with acute ischemic stroke and intracranial arterial obstructions have a poor prognosis and a high probability of deteriorating at 24 hours. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of power motion mode Doppler (PMD-TCD) compared with CT angiography as standard in diagnosing intracranial arterial obstructions in patients presenting with ischemic stroke of 1000, negative likelihood ratio 0.42, sensitivity 57.1%, and specificity 100%. The post-test probability for any occluded artery when PMD-TCD was positive increased for any admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score but was especially remarkable for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores between 7 and 15 points. PMD-TCD is valid compared with CT angiography for the diagnosis of arterial occlusions in patients with acute ischemic stroke, especially in middle cerebral artery obstructions.