Color-SieScape imaging of carotid and vertebral arteries.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the feasibility and limitations of Color-SieScape imaging of carotid and vertebral arteries in healthy subjects. METHODS: extended field of view procedure was applied during the examination of 80 carotid and 80 vertebral arteries in 40 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: visualisation of a common carotid artery together with a proximal segment of both an internal (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA) in one Color-SieScape image was possible in nine cases. Clear presentation of a common carotid artery in one Color-SieScape image with a segment of an ICA or ECA of varying length was possible in 49 cases. In 22 cases, visualisation of an ICA was possible only on a minimal length, with major artefacts or completely impossible. Color-SieScape images of vertebral arteries were good or very good in 34 cases and poor or very poor in 46 cases. Artefacts arose due to the pulsatile movements of the arterial wall, especially in vessels lying close to the skin and in the proximal part of a common carotid artery. Tracing a tortuous vessel and ICA coming from common carotid artery at an angle close to 90 degrees produced significant artefacts. CONCLUSIONS: Color-SieScape images of carotid and vertebral arteries of good quality are usually possible to obtain.