Abstract: ObjectiveTo assess the clinical value of transoral carotid ultrasonography (TOCU) in the detection of the blood flow
parameters of the distal extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) in patients with moyamoya disease.MethodsFourteen
patients with the diagnosis of moyamoya disease confirmed by digital subtractive angiography (DSA) underwent examination
with conventional carotid ultrasonography of the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA). TOCU was performed to observe the
distal extracranial ICA and the internal diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured.
ResultsAll the patients had unilateral moyamoya disease. Compared with the contralateral ICA, distal extracranial ICA
showed a significantly reduced internal diameter, PSV and EDV (P<0.05). No significant differences were found in the internal
diameter, PSV or EDV between the distal and proximal ICA on the diseased side. The internal diameter of the bilateral
common carotid arteries (CCA) was similar, but the PSV and EDV were significantly lower in the contralateral CCA.
ConclusionTOCU can provide information of the blood flow in the distal extracranial ICA to facilitate an accurate diagnosis
of moyamoya disease.