I review the history of my neurosonological work and my personal communication with many members of JAN.
My first project was to apply a miniature Doppler probe to a cerebral aneurysm to investigate intra-aneurysmal hemodynamics, and the data were published in 1974. Power spectrum analysis showed three peaks of wave frequency in the aneurysmal turbulence. Even today, the intraoperative Doppler flow method is very useful in the surgical treatment of aneurysms and AVMs, facilitating correct clipping of the aneurysm neck and total excision of AVM.
Secondly, the transcranial Doppler (TCD) method was used for evaluating the severity of vasospasm (VS) in patients with ruptured aneurysm. TCD findings indicated a clear relationship between increasing blood flow velocity and development of VS, and allowed prediction of VS before the appearance of ischemic neurological symptoms.
Thirdly, B-mode ultrasonography was applied to patients with carotid occlusive disease. The correlation between B-mode Doppler and angiographical data was good. Overall accuracy was about 90%, permitting the identification of several characteristics of plaque before carotid endarterectomy.
Finally, I give my opinion on the history and future of neurosonology with reference to the papers presented at previous meetings of NRGW in Taipei in 1999, and in Lisbon in 2001.
