CCI Cerebrovascular Duplex Examinations 3

Question 1

In transcranial Doppler (TCD), the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is most commonly insonated through which acoustic window?

Accepted Answer

Transtemporal window

Answer

The transtemporal window, located superior to the zygomatic arch, provides the primary access for MCA insonation in TCD.

Question 2

A normal vertebral artery waveform is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Low-resistance with continuous antegrade flow throughout diastole

Answer

The vertebral artery supplies the low-resistance posterior circulation, producing a low-resistance waveform with continuous forward diastolic flow.

Question 3

Which condition would cause a unilateral increase in common carotid artery diastolic flow velocity?

Accepted Answer

Ipsilateral ICA high-grade stenosis

Answer

Ipsilateral ICA stenosis increases downstream resistance demand, elevating the diastolic component of the CCA waveform feeding it.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of using power Doppler (energy Doppler) instead of color flow Doppler during carotid duplex?

Accepted Answer

To detect very slow flow in a near-total occlusion

Answer

Power Doppler is highly sensitive to slow flow and is used to differentiate near-occlusion from complete occlusion where color Doppler may miss a trickle of flow.

Question 5

Intima-media thickness (IMT) measurement on carotid duplex is performed at which arterial wall layer?

Accepted Answer

Trailing edge of intima to leading edge of adventitia

Answer

IMT is measured from the trailing (far) wall's intima-lumen interface to the media-adventitia interface on B-mode imaging.

CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Practice Test

CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Practice Test

CCI Cerebrovascular Duplex Examinations 3