A comparison of the sensitivity of carotid compression tonography with ophthalmodynamometry in the diagnosis of internal carotid artery occlusive disease.

The cases of 100 consecutive patients with arteriographic evidence of carotid occlusive disease were reviewed. All 100 patients had undergone ODMY and CCT prior to carotid arteriography. A comparison of the sensitivity of ODM testing with CCT testing revealed the ODMY pressure differences were reliable in detecting carotid occlusive disease in only 70 of these 100 patients, whereas CCT testing detected decreased blood flow on the involved side in 95 of the 100 patients. The advantages of CCT testing are discussed, comparing certain limitations and contraindications often encountered with ODMY testing. The CCT test is more sensitive than ODMY testing and is easier to perform. In addition, the results of CCT are more objective and provide a permanent record which can be analyzed at any time to check for reproducibility. Overall, the CCT test appears to be a more suitable screening test than ODMY to study carotid occlusive disease.