Carotid Artery Balloon Test Occlusion: Combined Clinical Evaluation and Xenon-enhanced Computed Tomographic Cerebral Blood Flow Evaluation without Patient Transfer or Balloon Reinflation: Technical Note

Abstract

Xenon-enhanced CT CBF evaluation can be combined with clinical testing during BTO without patient transfer, balloon reinflation, or increases in the duration of the procedure. We recognize that the value of CBF evaluation during BTO remains to be proven; our technique does, however, eliminate abbreviated clinical neurological evaluation, patient transfer, and balloon reinflation, which were previously associated with the use of xenon-enhanced CT CBF evaluation during carotid artery BTO.