Rola współczesnych metod obrazowania zwężeń tętnic szyjnych, występujących jako późny efekt popromienny po radioterapii nowotworów głowy i szyi.

Abstract

Abstract Head and neck cancer is an increasingly diagnosed cancer among oncology patients around the world. Due to the location and severity in many cases the most frequently used treatment method is radiotherapy. The highly toxic radiation beam damages not only tissues affected by cancer but also healthy tissues, including blood vessels located close to the clinical target volume. Carotid artery stenosis appears as a late side effect of radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Stenosis of the carotid artery is associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke, therefore routine screening is important. Diagnostic modalities used for screening include DUS, DSA, CTA, MRA and PET/CT. Doppler ultrasonography is the method of choice for assessing carotid artery stenosis.