Auscultation of the Neck in Occlusive Cerebrovascular Disease

Abstract

Because atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels may be treated by medical and surgical means early diagnosis is necessary. Fifty patients with cerebrovascular disease were studied by auscultation of the 4 major cerebral vessels in the neck. Results were checked with arterio-graphic findings. Carotid murmurs were the most frequent abnormality and were a reliable indication of atherosclerotic plaques. Carotid sounds of low intensity on one side also indicated atherosclerotic disease. Auscultation of carotid arteries led to the detection of 57% of atherosclerotic plaques. In the vertebral system accuracy was 40%; in a further 40% murmurs were transmitted from subclavian arteries. Absence of vertebral sounds in all positions of the head is associated with disease of vertebral arteries in a high percentage of cases.