The examination techniques for identification of extra- and intracranial vertebral and basilar arteries are described. The clinical, Doppler sonographic and angiographic findings in 37 patients are presented and discussed. The vessels were recorded from a nuchal position via the posterior bone and/or the foramen magnum. A good correlation with the angiographic findings was found in 75.6% of cases but false-positive or false-negative results were observed in 9 patients. These results are good for Doppler evaluation of patients with vertebrobasilar circulation abnormalities, though angiography is still indicated when making a therapeutic decision.