Doppler ultrasound is used not only to view and document the appearance of vessels but also to calculate the speed and direction of blood flow. The carotid arteries are located on each side of the neck. The exam is conducted to view plaque, deposits, narrowing (stenosis) and any other anomaly of the vessels or blood circulation.
30 minutes
No preparation is required.
Go to the reception desk of the imaging department, where you will put on a hospital gown.
Once in the exam room, you will be asked to lie down on your back. The medical imaging technologist starts by applying ultrasound gel, which is a water-based gel that conducts ultrasound waves through the skin, on the region that will be examined. Then, using a small ultrasound probe, the technologist takes images on each side of the neck, at shoulder height and over the eyelids.
The Doppler ultrasound can be noisy at times. The Doppler effect is used to listen to blood flow. It is therefore completely normal to hear various sounds throughout the exam.
There are no side effects. After the exam, you may get dressed and leave. We will send the report from the exam to your doctor.