Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41798808›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in neurology

Transcranial ultrasonography in the detection of cerebrovascular accident: a systematic review and bivariate random-effects meta-analysis.

Ricardo Pinto-Villalba, Andrea Paz, Jordy Arellano, Galo García, Mateo Carrera, Sergio Cardona, Jose A Rodas, Jose E Leon-Rojas

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Ricardo Pinto-VillalbaNeurALL Research Group, Quito, Ecuador.
Andrea PazNeurALL Research Group, Quito, Ecuador.
Jordy ArellanoNeurALL Research Group, Quito, Ecuador.
Galo GarcíaNeurALL Research Group, Quito, Ecuador.
Mateo CarreraNeurALL Research Group, Quito, Ecuador.
Sergio CardonaEscuela de Medicina, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.
Jose A RodasSchool of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Jose E Leon-RojasEscuela de Medicina, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background/objectives: Stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, with rapid diagnosis critical for effective treatment. Transcranial ultrasonography offers a potentially valuable diagnostic tool, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transcranial Doppler (TCD) and transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) for detecting ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and bivariate random-effects meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42023471425). Three databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science) were searched from inception to November 20, 2022. We included studies assessing adult (≥18 years) stroke patients using TCD or TCCS compared to reference standards (MRI, CT, or angiography). Exclusion criteria included pediatric populations, animal studies, vasospasm assessments, and studies with <10 participants. Four reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using NIH tools. Primary outcomes were pooled sensitivity and specificity analyzed using bivariate random-effects models; this technique was chosen as it jointly analyses sensitivity and specificity using a random-effects model that accounts for their correlation and between-study variability. Results: From 16,397 records, 26 studies met inclusion criteria, with 13 studies ( Conclusion: Transcranial ultrasonography demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy for stroke detection. While operator-dependent and limited by acoustic window availability, these techniques, after thorough training and validation, may be prioritized in low-resource setting were computed tomography is not readily available through the means of formal capacitation and feasibility studies. The moderate risk of bias in half of included studies suggests a lack of higher-quality research. Systematic review registration: CRD42023471425.

Indexed as

bi-variate meta-analysisdiagnostic powerDoppler ultrasoundstroketranscranial ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID41798808
PMCPMC12961999

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.