867 Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Cerebral Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Abstract

Abstract Aim This study aims to review the literature regarding the utility and accuracy of transcranial toppler (TCD) ultrasound in the diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm (CV) following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH). Method A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Pubmed and Google Scholar online databases were searched using the following designated MeSH search terms: “subarachnoid haemorrhage” AND “aneurysm” AND “aneurysmal” AND “cerebral vasospasm” AND “vasospasm” AND “transcranial Doppler” AND “TCD”. Results were limited to publications not older than 10 years prior this research (May-June 2020) and restricted to English language. All the articles found through the search were screened through their titles, then through the abstract and finally from reading in full. The remaining articles were then screened by the previously set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, a further cross-reference search was completed in order to include articles missed in the database research. Results The database research yielded 1378 results. Of these, following the screening process, 6 papers were included in the study. A total of 403 patients was extracted from the data. Of these, the total number of reported diagnoses of CV was 172. The percentage of patients with CV was calculated for each study and overall, for an average of 42.68% of patients diagnosed with CV. TCD showed to have an average sensitivity and specificity of 68% and 74%, respectively and 71% accuracy. Conclusion TCD is a useful diagnostic tool that could help predicting and early diagnosing the occurrence of CV, with good sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.