ABSTRACT
Because of improvements in transducer technology and in digital image processing, the spatial resolution of ultrasound now approaches that of other non-invasive techniques, such as spiral computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and three-dimensional and four-dimensional techniques are continuously improving.2-5 Ultrasound remains superior in terms of temporal resolution. This allows the detection of high-intensity transient signals (HITS) as important indicators of ongoing cerebral microembolism, which are suspected to indicate an increased risk for cerebral ischemia in the individual patient. Monitoring of patients in stroke units, intensive care units or during carotid endarterectomy and percutaneous
transluminal angioplasty is another important topic, which is supposed to support secondary prevention in stroke patients.
