Duplex scanning of vessels of the head and neck

Sleep disturbance, dizziness, decreased hearing and visual acuity, blurred vision, fainting, and other such listed symptoms are provoked by pathologies of the blood supply to the brain. In order to establish an accurate diagnosis and develop the required treatment, the patient is recommended to undergo a duplex scan of the vessels of the head and neck.

What is the process of research?

A study is based on this ability of ultrasound waves, such as penetration into tissues and vessels, which are subsequently displayed in two planes on the screen, being reflected from the blood cells. Thanks to this, it is possible to assess the condition of an individual artery and to analyze the rate of blood flow. The examination is non-invasive, because it is painless, absolutely safe, has no contraindications and does not oblige patients to prepare for it in a special way.

Ultrasound duplex scanning of vessels of the head and neck

This name was obtained by combining simultaneous evaluation of veins and the rate of blood flow. On the monitor, a specialist can see the system of vessels, determine the places of their thickening and the presence of plaques.

This procedure has become simply an integral method of diagnosis in the conduct of preventive screening due to such advantages as non-invasiveness, high image quality and the absence of contraindications. The doctor manages to consider even the smallest stenoses, which makes scanning an effective tool in the diagnosis of circulatory diseases that occur asymptomatically.

Assign ultrasound duplex scanning of the vessels of the neck and head under the following conditions:

• frequent dizziness;
• before the operation in the field of cardiology;
• memory impairment;
• pathology of the neck, which can affect the state of the blood vessels.

Individual categories of individuals need to be scanned regularly for the purpose of a routine physical examination:

• women who reached the age of 45, men after forty;
• having relatives with diabetes and hypertension;
• suffered a stroke ;
• smoking;
• who have diabetes;
• people with excessive cholesterol;
• having a violation of heart rate.

Transcranial duplex scanning of the vessels of the head and neck

The difference between this method and the one presented above is the display of a color and a three-dimensional image. The color of the examined arteries depends on the rate of blood flow in it.

Usually this method is used in combination with duplex. The need for its application is determined by the following factors:

• if violations of the cerebral flow were detected in a two-dimensional study;
• presence of manifestations of cerebral ischemia for unknown reasons;
• revealed signs of hypertension;
• indications for monitoring when evaluating the treatment method used.

Decoding of duplex scanning of vessels of the head and neck

Conducting a survey of ultrasound rays can identify the pathology of the venous and arterial systems, determine the presence pathologies and evaluate the effect of therapy. During the procedure, the following diseases are identified:

1. Stenosing atherosclerosis is characterized by the presence of plaques. By analyzing them, it is possible to draw a conclusion about the probability of developing embolism.
2. Vasculitis is determined based on the parameters: echogenicity, changes in the arterial wall and the presence of inflammation.
3. Temporal arteritis is characterized by a thickening of the walls of the arteries with a parallel decrease in echogenicity.
4. Micro- and makoangiapathies are observed in diabetes.
5. The vertebral vessels are characterized by a decrease in diameter up to two millimeters, which is called hypoplasia.