Evaluation of a scoring system for extracranial XXXX extent with B-mode ultrasound.

@entity1 @entity731 @entity2998 @entity301
We have developed a scoring system to quantify extent of extracranial carotid artery @entity731 using real-time ultrasound (B-mode). To evaluate repeatability of this scoring system we correlated repeat scores obtained within a short interval of one another (6 months) in 52 individuals. We compared repeatability of extent measurements with repeatability of a measure of severity (single most severe lesion). Correlations between first and second studies for severity were weak (r2 = 0.20) but significant (p less than 0.001). Extent scores correlated much better (r2 = 0.77, p less than 0.001). In another group of 22 @entity1 we found that the extent of @entity731 decreased following endarterectomy. We used this method to determine changes in extent of @entity2998 with age in two sets of individuals. One consisted of a cohort of 22 @entity1 who underwent repeat B-mode studies separated by 1 1/2-3 years. This cohort demonstrated an increase in carotid score with age (p less than 0.05). In a second group of volunteers undergoing cardiac catheterization and B-mode evaluation of the carotid system, carotid scores could be compared in individuals with age differences that averaged 15 years. Extent of @entity2998 was significantly greater in older individuals (p less than 0.01) and differences in extent with age were exaggerated in @entity1 with @entity301 compared to @entity301 free controls.
