Accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosing extracranial carotid occlusion: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim This study aimed to assess the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in detecting extracranial carotid artery occlusion. Materials and methods A systematic literature search was conducted in the Cochrane, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. Prospective or retrospective studies that reported sensitivity and specificity of CEUS for the diagnosis of carotid artery occlusion were selected. Eight studies (354 arteries) were included in the meta-analysis. A bivariate random-effect model was used to estimate overall sensitivity and specificity. The results were also summarized by developing a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. Results The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative likelihood ratios were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.83–1.00), 0.97 (95% CI: 0.90–0.99), 30.0 (95% CI: 9.8–91.4), and 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.21), respectively; the odds ratio for diagnosis was 4,796 (95% CI: 119–192,584). Conclusion The diagnostic test accuracy suggests that CEUS is a reliable tool for diagnosis of extracranial carotid artery occlusion.