[Diagnosis of arterial vascular diseases of the lower extremities with color-coded duplex sonography].

Fifty-three patients with chronic arterial disease were examined with colour-coded duplex sonography and the results compared with those of arteriography. In those vessels where direct demonstration was possible, there was complete agreement regarding the localisations and severity of lesions. There was some difficulty in evaluating distal high-grade stenoses and occlusions. The results indicate that by means of colour-coded duplex sonography, rapid and accurate evaluation of the vessels in the lower extremities can be achieved. The new method represents a significant improvement in noninvasive diagnosis, particularly as compared with traditional duplex sonography.