Sonography of the carotid arteries belongs nowadays, in addition to computer tomography of the brain and echocardiography, to the basic examination methods needed for the diagnosis of cerebrovascular attacks and their etiology. We use it also in risk patients, e.g. before surgical revascularization of the heart and in patients with asympatomatic murmurs above the carotid artery. On examination we evaluate not only the severity of the stenosis in the carotid circulation but also the presence of all atheromas and in particular their morphology. A hypo- echogenic plaque as a sign of a high lipid content and a plaque with different areas of echogenicity as a sign of haemorrhage into the plaque imply risk of another thromboembolic attack. Also assessment of the intima-media thickness in the region of the carotid bulbus are a prognostic sign of relapse of a cerebrovascular attack.

        Key words: sonography of the carotid arteries - cerebrovascular attacks - atherosclerotic plaque.