Detection of intracranial aneurysms with unenhanced and echo contrast enhanced transcranial power Doppler

OBJECTIVE To assess transcranial power Doppler and the effect of an intravenous ultrasonic contrast agent for detecting intracranial aneurysms in patients admitted with a subarachnoid haemorrhage METHODS 203 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage were examined with the operator blind to the results of the admission CT and subsequent digital subtraction angiogram (DSA). In 98 cases patients were imaged using unenhanced transcranial power Doppler, and in 105 cases, patients were imaged both using unenhanced and echo contrast enhanced (Levovist, Schering AG) transcranial power Doppler. RESULTS DSA detected 168 intracranial aneurysms in 128 patients (24 patients had multiple lesions) and 75 patients had an aneurysm negative DSA. There was agreement between DSA and transcranial power Doppler in 87 intracranial aneurysms of which 20 were only detected after infusion of contrast agent. Without contrast infusion, transcranial power Doppler showed a sensitivity of 40% and specificity of 91%. A significant increase in detection was noted when using a contrast agent (χ2=9.49, p