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VASCULAR ULTRASOUND

What is vascular ultrasound imaging?

What are the common uses of the procedure?

How should I prepare for the scan?

What will I experience during the examination?

How do I get the results?

What is vascular ultrasound imaging?

Vascular ultrasound is a special type of ultrasound study that examines blood vessels. It uses the Doppler phenomenon to study the speed and volume of blood flow, amongst other things, in different blood vessels. Ultrasound images are captured in real time, so they can help the ultrasound practitioner monitor the blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body.

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What are the common uses of the procedure?

Ultrasound imaging is a useful way of evaluating the body’s circulatory system. Ultrasound images are captured in real time, so they can help the ultrasound practitioner monitor the blood flow inside blood vessels.

Ultrasound of the arteries, such as the carotid arteries supplying the brain with blood, can help in identifying areas of narrowing (stenosis), calcifications or thrombosis that may lead to a stroke. It will help your doctor in planning your treatment. It can also identify areas of abnormal widening of blood vessels (aneurysm) that, if left untreated, can lead to serious consequences.

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Ultrasound of the veins can identify thrombosis (blockage) that may be the cause of leg or arm swelling or pain. In people with varicose veins, it can help to identify the source of the supply of these veins and help the surgeon decide how best to deal with this condition.

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How should I prepare for the scan?

You should dress comfortably but will have to remove your clothing and jewellery in the area to be examined. No other preparation is required.

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What will I experience during the examination?

The procedure is painless. You may be asked to lie down on an examination couch or stand up in front of the ultrasound practitioner depending on which part of the body is examined. Warm gel is applied to your skin and a transducer is pressed against your body. The transducer is swept across the area of interest to obtain real time images that are displayed on the monitor instantaneously. The ultrasound practitioner may show you some of the structures on the monitor and may explain to you some of the images. You may ask questions during the examination.

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How do I get the results?

The ultrasound practitioner may explain to you the findings straight away after the examination. However, it is sometimes necessary to review the images and therefore it may not be possible to give you an answer immediately after the examination. In any case, the ultrasound practitioner will analyse the images and send a report to your doctor detailing the findings.

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