MRI is also a powerful tool in the assessment of carotid stenosis.
It is now possible to carry out intracranial Doppler studies, which enable a surgeon to detect whether a patient is experiencing cerebral embolization from a carotid plaque.
Extracranial ultrasound is extremely important in tumor staging and in assessing neck masses and the carotid bifurcation (Fig. 8.30).
Ultrasound is useful in children because they have an acoustic window through the fontanelles.