Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography with injection of contrast agent (intravenously to enhance the ultrasound signal) is a non-invasive technique that has been used for years to study intracranial vessels that constitute the polygon of Willis. However, this technique does not allow good visualization of small vessels, such as perforating arteries.
Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is based on the principle of localizing injected microbubbles in order to follow their movement to map the microvascular structure. The concentration of these microbubbles must remain low (in contrast to its classical use in Doppler ultrasound) in order to isolate and localize them. By using the same images as those performed in clinical routine by Doppler ultrasound and by processing the data offline, ULM would increase the resolution by a factor of 10 allowing potential observation of perforating arteries.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients with ischemic stroke hospitalized in the neurology department of the Bichat Hospital in the absence of middle cerebral artery occlusion or lacunar disease.
or
* Patients followed in the neurology department of the Bichat/Lariboisière hospital with a diagnosis of Moya-Moya disease or syndrome
* Patient who has had a TST with contrast injection as part of his follow-up
* Patient who has had an MRI as part of his follow-up
* Presence of a temporal window that allows ultrasound insonification of the polygon circle of Willis.
* Age over 18 years.
* Patient not objecting to the analysis of their data
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patient not affiliated to French Social Security.
* Patient under guardianship or curatorship.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
To compare the number of perforating arteries detected by ULM with the number of perforating arteries detected on TOF MRI.