Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 17, Issue 8 509-512, Copyright © 1998 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Color Doppler imaging assessment of blood flow in vascularized pedicle grafts for avascular necrosis of the femoral head: angiographic correlation
J. Duchow, R. Kubale and T. Hopf
Department of Orthopedics, University of the Saarland, Homburg Saar, Germany.
The aim of this study was to examine whether color Doppler imaging can be
used to assess vascular patency after use of pedicle pelvic bone grafts in
the operative treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. We
performed color Doppler imaging and selective angiography in 10 consecutive
patients (12 hip joints) treated for avascular necrosis of the femoral
head. In comparison to angiographic results, nine patent and two occluded
grafts were demonstrated correctly by color Doppler imaging. In one case, a
graft confirmed as patent by angiography was not demonstrable by color
Doppler imaging. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of color Doppler
imaging were high when compared to angiography as a standard. Color Doppler
imaging is suited to evaluate vascular patency after use of vascularized
pedicle bone grafts in the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral
head.
