Endoscopy 1988; 20(3): 107-110
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1018149
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Usefulness of Angioscopy in Stenotic Processes of the Carotid - A Comparison with Morphological Findings

A. Schwartz1 , K.-F. Bürrig2 , A. Aulich
  • 1Neurological Clinic, University Medical School, Düsseldorf
  • 2Institute of Pathology, University Medical School, Düsseldorf
  • University Medical School, Düsseldorf
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

Summary

The development of a new generation of ultrathin flexible fiber-scopes permitted direct in-vivo intravascular visualization of pathological changes. But not until the construction of a double-lumen balloon catheter for simultaneous obstruction of the blood flow and rinsing of the vessel did an accurate percutaneous transluminal examination become possible.

For testing the usefulness of angioscopic intraluminal diagnosis, 48 carotid arteries from 32 autopsies were examined independently by angioscopy and morphologically. There was a high degree of correspondence between the two methods, especially in cases with low-degree stenosis or complicated plaques, in which other examination methods often fail. Problems of underestimating fibrous plaques and optical projection upstream of the stenosis are discussed.