Home Prevention Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head and neck, brain. What is it that shows how it's done

Prevention

Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head and neck, brain. What is it that shows how it's done

Today, ultrasound duplex scanning (USDS) is the most informative diagnostic method in identifying pathologies of cerebral vessels.

During the procedure it is possible to determine them anatomical structure, Availability pathological processes, as well as real-time blood flow status.

Duplex scanning combines several simultaneously various techniques– Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) and Doppler ultrasonography.

What is ultrasonic scanning: the essence of the method, modes

Translated from English word Duplex means double. IN in this case The use of two ultrasound modes is implied:

B – mode – the essence of the method is that the sensor emits ultrasonic waves of a certain frequency passing through the patient’s tissues. Then, at different densities of the tissues being examined, ultrasound is reflected and the signal returns back to the sensor. The device emits ultrasonic waves and receives a return, reflected signal in a pulse mode, that is, at different time intervals. For example, if it is necessary to examine the most distant areas (of an echogenic structure), much more time passes between the ultrasound radiation and the reflection of the signal than when diagnosing structures located closer to the device. The unique properties of the sensor allow it to emit waves at different angles, with different time intervals. Modern technology allows you to scan and visualize a two-dimensional image of the vessels of the brain and neck vessels in a matter of minutes.
Doppler - this technique is based on the Doppler effect: ultrasound directed at the area under study, when colliding with a moving object, not only sends a response signal, but also changes the frequency and, accordingly, the wavelength of the radiation. When diagnosing blood vessels, the main object from which ultrasound is reflected are red blood cells. This allows you to identify the exact spectrum of blood flow speed.

Also, using the innovative method of color Doppler scanning (CDC), it is possible to build a color cartogram of blood flow in the vessel under study.

What does ultrasound scan show?

Duplex scanning of the vessels of the brain and neck allows you to study in detail their structure, condition and direction of blood flow. Each of the above modes determines the following data about the vessels of the head:

Ultrasonography(B-mode) determines the location of blood vessels in the human body, their diameter, and assesses the condition of the vascular lumen; the technique allows you to identify various pathologies that impede normal blood flow (for example, blood clots formed on the walls, cholesterol plaques); The most innovative devices are capable of visualizing a layer-by-layer image of the vessel.
The Doppler mode allows you to study in detail the hemodynamics of blood movement through the vessels, the direction of blood flow, and its speed.

Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head is a procedure that allows you to fully study almost all parameters blood vessels and put the most accurate diagnosis.

The technique is universal when it is necessary to identify pathological processes in the vessels of the brain and neck. In addition, the study refers to non-invasive diagnostic methods, which implies its complete safety and the ability to perform ultrasound scanning the required number of times.

During the diagnosis, not only blood vessels are visualized, but also nearby tissue structures. Intracranial duplex scanning is used to study the cerebral vascular beds. If it is necessary to obtain a color image, transcranial duplex scanning is used.

In what cases is a study prescribed?

Duplex ultrasound scanning is used for various diseases and pathological conditions cerebral vessels:

congenital vascular malformations;
deformations of head vessels;
atherosclerosis;
injuries;
when blood clots form in the vessels of the brain (thrombosis);
if you suspect the presence of an aneurysm (expansion of part of the vascular wall);
inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis);
damage to blood vessels (angiopathy);
with discirculatory encephalopathy (brain damage that occurs due to circulatory failure);
in the presence of diseases in nearby adjacent tissues and structures.

Diagnostic measures are also prescribed for patients who have the following symptoms:

migraine;
constant feeling of heaviness in the head, accompanied by tinnitus and
frequent headaches;
dizziness;
coordination disorders motor activity, unsteadiness when walking;
fainting;
feeling of weakness and numbness in the legs and arms;
speaking disorders.

Duplex scanning is prescribed to patients who have had a stroke in the past or surgical intervention on the vessels of the brain, as well as people suffering from disorders cerebral circulation of a chronic nature. In this way, the condition of blood vessels and blood flow is monitored. Duplex scanning most informatively identifies secondary pathological changes vessels of the head if present various diseases(for example, with a persistent increase in blood pressure or in the presence of diabetes mellitus).

The study is prescribed in the presence of large neoplasms inside the brain (cystic, cancers and hematomas). In this case, the goal of diagnosis is to evaluate the tumor and its blood supply. Ultrasound scanning is also required before surgical intervention on cerebral vessels or to determine methods of conservative treatment.

Duplex scanning is of high importance in neurological practice and makes it possible to diagnose cerebral circulatory disorders in the early stages of development. This allows you to take timely measures to prevent an acute process. In this case great value has the possibility of detailed research cholesterol plaques, their density.

At-risk groups

Duplex scanning is prescribed to people who are predisposed to developing diseases vascular system. The following categories of patients are at risk:

long-term smokers;
people who are overweight;
people leading a sedentary lifestyle, which as a result leads to physical inactivity;
exposed to frequent stressful situations;
age category after 45 years;
patients with a history of diabetes mellitus of any stage;
in the presence of higher level cholesterol in the body.

Preparing for Duplex Scanning

No special preparation is required for the ultrasound duplex scanning procedure. Diagnosis is carried out at any time of the day, but more often in the morning.

If the patient takes such medications, like Phezam, Betaserc and some others, you need to consult with your doctor about taking them on the day of the procedure.

Immediately before the examination, all possible jewelry should be removed from the head and neck area. At the end of the procedure, you should thoroughly wash your head and neck to completely remove any remaining gel.

Features of the event

Since ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic method, it does not cause pain or discomfort, and therefore does not require the use of anesthesia. The procedure is performed in a sitting or lying position, depending on which area of the head is being examined.

Then the specialist applies skin of the examined area is a transparent gel, which acts as a conductor between human body and an ultrasound sensor. The sensor is installed on the required area of the head; more often, certain areas with the thinnest bones of the skull are used for this purpose. Thus, ultrasonic waves freely penetrate inside the skull.

The duration of the diagnosis takes between 20-30 minutes, during which the specialist may ask the patient to hold his breath or change his body position. The procedure is well tolerated and does not cause discomfort.

Contraindications

Duplex scanning is a completely safe procedure that is used in patients different ages, in particular in children, for diagnosing diseases of the vascular system. The examination has no contraindications.

Duplex scanning is not performed in seriously ill patients who are unable to take the necessary body position for diagnosis.

Interpretation of ultrasound results

After duplex scanning, the doctor has complete information about the state of cerebral vessels. The examination results contain a small amount of digital data and determine the anatomical features of the vessels, their patency, hemodynamics, as well as the presence of various pathological formations inside the vessel that impede normal blood flow.

To make a final diagnosis, the doctor compares the results with normal indicators. Based on these values, a final diagnosis is made.

Ultrasound of head and neck vessels ? modern method diagnostics of blood flow in the vessels that supply blood to the brain. Ultrasound examination allows you to accurately assess the state of patency of extracranial vessels (outside the cranial? vertebral and carotid arteries), and vessels that penetrate brain tissue (three types of arteries? anterior, middle, posterior).

It should be noted that the ultrasound procedure will not provide a complete image of the condition of the vessel and determine the ability to identify key factors of vascular obstruction. Ailments such as thrombosis, stenosis, spasms, formation atherosclerotic plaques, require additional procedures examination of the vascular system in the neck and head.

Indications for ultrasound of the brain and neck

people who have problems with cerebral circulation (acute or chronic);
patients who have suffered vascular injuries due to traumatic brain injury and neurosurgery);
after toxic damage vessels;
after diagnosing asymmetry or absence of pulse, blood pressure in area upper limbs(hands);
with a pronounced murmur on the aortic arch;
with sudden loss of vision;
various range of pathologies cervical spine spine (after diagnosing osteochondrosis, injuries, congenital anomalies, poor posture) if there is a threat of compression of the vertebral artery and impaired blood supply to the spinal cord.

Ultrasound of brain and neck vessels, price which is optimal for patients of different financial capabilities - it is advisable to repeat the available ultrasound screening procedure from time to time for re-examination of patients with atherosclerosis and other pathologies of the blood vessels of the head. At risk vascular diseases brain there are people with bad habits(tobacco smoking), overweight, suffering from hypertensive and ischemic heart disease.

Ultrasound diagnostics allows early detection of disturbances in blood flow to brain tissue. Oxygen starvation tissue leads to worsening of the condition. A timely ultrasound will help prevent a cerebral stroke. Ultrasound screening is recommended for monitoring patients suffering from vascular pathologies and comparing the results of the condition of blood vessels after a course of treatment.

Ultrasound is provided to a specialist important information about cross-country ability arterial vessels, which are responsible for feeding the brain - the price of the data obtained is immeasurable. The doctor will be able to quickly identify disturbances in the outflow of blood from the cranial cavity, which can have fatal consequences. Based on the diagnostic results, the neurologist determines the degree of development of collateral and venous pathology. Ultrasound shows the branching of the vascular system, evidence of the presence of arteriovenous malformation and impaired vascular patency. The information obtained is important for the subsequent selection of effective therapy.

Preparing the patient for ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck

Despite the fact that ultrasound of the vessels of the brain and neck is an affordable procedure, the patient needs to take into account some nuances for maximum accuracy of the result.

On the day of the procedure, it is advisable for the patient to:

interrupt the reception medicines or limit them if the appointment cannot be canceled due to the presence of other diseases;
avoid drinking tea or coffee (caffeinated drinks);
refrain from smoking cigarettes for two hours before the procedure.

It is important to follow these rules to avoid increased tone vessels.

To ensure accurate results, it is advisable to remove jewelry from the head and neck area.

Method of performing ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck

In the office near the device there is always a comfortable couch for the client to relax. The procedure should not cause discomfort or pain. The ultrasound specialist places the device's probe on the patient's skin to direct ultrasound to the area of the blood vessels that require diagnosis.

If there is insufficient blood flow in the vessel, the Doppler effect will not be displayed on the device screen. Computer processing of digital data allows you to evaluate the graph of blood movement through the vessel in real time. Ultrasound of the vessels of the brain and neck often includes additional functional tests:

hyperventilation;
finger pressure;
finger pressure;

This helps to more accurately diagnose the mechanism of blood flow regulation.

For severely ill patients, the extended Doppler ultrasound procedure is used - ultrasound signals are converted into sound signals. After listening to the data, the specialist is able to accurately assess blood flow in the area of the neck or head being examined. This will allow you to quickly identify a blockage or narrowing of a vessel, and determine the degree of disruption of blood transportation through the circulatory system.

The time for ultrasound diagnostics ranges from 30-45 minutes. Portable Dopplerography takes three times less time.

Contraindications to the ultrasound procedure of the vessels of the head and neck

There are no age restrictions for ultrasound. Ultrasonic waves are absolutely safe for humans. During long-term treatment vascular diseases, the procedure can be used several times in a row.

The procedure may be difficult to implement if the diseased vessel is closed bone tissue or a large layer of subcutaneous fat. Difficulties in performing diagnostics using ultrasound waves arise in patients with arrhythmia and cardiac pathologies, in patients with slow blood flow.

The procedure cannot be carried out on areas of damaged skin - this makes it impossible to attach the device’s sensor. It is advisable to wait for healing and only then do an ultrasound.

Types of ultrasound

Exist different types Ultrasound procedures of head and neck vessels:

Ultrasound examination of soft tissues
ultrasound examination of the skin
ultrasound examination of lymph nodes
ultrasound examination of the salivary glands
ultrasound examination of the pleural cavity
echocardiography
duplex scanning of the aorta
duplex scanning of the brachiocephalic arteries with color Doppler mapping of blood flow
duplex scanning of blood vessels thyroid gland and ultrasound examination of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

Content

Medicine constantly presents society with new methods for diagnosing serious pathologies. Treatment success various diseases depends on their timely detection and prescription of the necessary therapy. Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head and neck is an innovative research method that allows you to see the smallest tubular hollow formations in a two-dimensional projection human body. The non-invasive nature of the technique makes the procedure easier and does not require recovery after the manipulation.

What is duplex scanning of blood vessels

How to check the head non-invasively? The unique properties of ultrasound help it pass through the tissues of the human body and, reflecting from blood cells, send a signal in the form of an image of the area under study to the diagnostician’s monitor screen. Using duplex scanning of the vessels of the head and neck, a specialist can assess blood hemodynamics and obtain information about anatomical features veins, arteries. Different Doppler technologies use the same properties sound wave, but have different functionality:

USDG ( Doppler ultrasound) . This study helps assess the patency of blood vessels in the brain, neck, and other organs. Doppler ultrasound carries only one functional load – determination of hemodynamics.

Duplex ultrasound scanning. Using this method, it is possible to diagnose the presence of atherosclerotic plaques and blood clots in the arteries and veins, which contribute to the narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels. During monitoring, a tubular formation with surrounding tissues is visualized. Duplex scanning is divided into the following subtypes:

extracranial e – explores great vessels;

intracranial– checks intracerebral “pools”;
transcranial– provides color duplex scanning of the brain.

Triplex scanning. Dopplerography of the vessels of the head and neck, during which, in addition to information about the intensity of blood movement, the diagnostician receives a color image of the tubular formation with the surrounding tissues.

Ultrasonography. Shows the “big picture” of the structure of arteries and veins. Doppler ultrasound helps to determine the characteristics of blood flow movement and conduct an examination for the presence of pathologies.

Indications for the purpose of the study

Vascular examinations of a planned nature should be carried out in mandatory once a year. Anomaly detection on early stage development helps to avoid negative consequences associated with a progressive form of the disease, take measures to prescribe the necessary therapy. Duplex scanning of the patency of blood vessels in the head and neck is often prescribed to verify the results obtained from MRI and ultrasound. Indications for duplex are the following symptoms:

headache;

dizziness;
fainting;
numbness of hands;
lack of coordination;
memory loss;
smoking;
a history of strokes;
cervical osteochondrosis;
arterial hypertension;
previously identified vascular dystonia;
family ties with a hypertensive or diabetic;
vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels).

How to prepare

The head and neck examination does not require the patient to special training. On the day of the procedure, you must stop using drugs that increase vascular tone: coffee, nicotine, tea, energy drinks. Cancellation of drugs that can distort the results of ultrasound examination - Betaserc, Cinnazirin - requires consultation with a neurologist. Before scanning, the patient will need to remove all foreign objects in the form of chains, hairpins, etc. from the area being examined.

How is the procedure performed?

Duplex scanning can be done by referral from your attending physician in the neurological departments of large city hospitals or you can go to a clinic according to your area of residence. The manipulation takes place according to general rule. The patient is placed on the couch, a hard pillow or cushion is placed under the head, and the head is moved to the side opposite to the sensor.

Before starting the procedure, the doctor applies a small amount of special gel, with which you can easily “move” the transducer over the surface of the skin, analyzing arterial and venous beds. The blood vessels of the brain are checked through the bones of the skull. The skin is first treated with a water-soluble gel, then the doctor places sensors on the following areas:

above the eye sockets;
alignment of the occipital bone with the spine;
occipital bone.

Decoding the results

At the end of the examination, the doctor receives comprehensive information about the condition of the arteries and veins. Analysis of the venous bed contains practically no digital data, but includes the following parameters:

anatomy;

cross-country ability;
blood flow speed;
the presence of abnormal formations inside the lumen.

Dopplerography of arterial vessels collects digital data that is compared with normal values. Satisfactory condition of general and carotid arteries the presence of the following indicators can be considered:

the maximum speed of blood movement in the artery is less than 0.9;

percentage of stenosis – 0;
peak velocity in diastole – less than 0.5;
absence of formations inside the lumen;
wall thickness – 0.9-1.1.

Are there any contraindications

The advantage of duplex scanning is the absence negative influence on the human body. The non-invasive nature of the study helps to diagnose blood vessels in an adult or child without any restrictions. Relative contraindications can be considered the patient’s serious condition or the presence of diseases that prevent the patient from moving to a horizontal position.

Video

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and make treatment recommendations based on individual characteristics specific patient.

Found an error in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we will fix everything!

The duplex scanning technique combines two advanced studies: ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasound. Examination of the arteries of the neck makes it possible to evaluate the vessels from the inside, study possible changes in them and analyze the speed of blood flow.

As a type of ultrasound scanning, this method is absolutely safe; it uses only an acoustic wave of the required frequency, unlike computed tomography and x-ray as opposed to computed tomography and x-ray. Additionally, duplex scanning (duplex) is affordable and painless. In our center, duplex examination is carried out using modern equipment by high-class specialists.

Duplex scanning of the vessels of the head is a combined method that includes ultrasound and Dopplerography. The study allows the specialist to see the patient’s brain vessels, study their structure, and analyze the condition and characteristics of blood flow by scanning the lumen of the vessel. Duplex makes it possible to detect atherosclerotic plaques, blood clots, and pathological changes vascular walls. This is an absolutely painless, effective and affordable diagnostic method.

Indications

suspicion of the presence of atherosclerotic plaques;
narrowing of the carotid arteries detected through other examinations;
arterial hypertension;
osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
history of cerebral circulatory disorders;
detection of murmurs during auscultation of the carotid arteries.

How is it carried out?

To do the examination, the patient is placed on a couch. The neck should be free of jewelry. A gel is applied to it to facilitate better transmission of ultrasound. A special device is then applied to the area being examined. Thanks to scanning, the vessel is diagnosed, and images appear on the computer that visualize problem areas. The procedure lasts 20-30 minutes and does not cause any discomfort to the patient.

In our center you can sign up not only for a duplex examination of the vessels of the neck, but also get a consultation the best specialists, as well as undergo treatment at the best prices. You can receive other qualified neurological care at the Neuro-Med Center for Pediatric and Adult Neurology in Moscow.

Procedure for registering with a specialist:

Call us at the registration number.

Make an appointment during open hours.

Pay the cost of the service using the payment system on the website by bank card, or a receipt through Sberbank. (see background information on payment for services).

Please arrive for your appointment at your scheduled consultation time.

If the service is not provided medical Center makes 100% refund.

Ultrasound not only passes through tissue, but, reflected from blood cells, sends an image of the vessel to the screen, which allows one to evaluate the patency and degree of narrowing of the vessel.

There are several types of Doppler:

Ultrasound Dopplerography (Doppler ultrasound) is a study of the vessels of the neck, head, brain or other organs, which allows you to determine the patency of the vessel, i.e. his anatomy.
USDS - (Duplex Ultrasound Scanning) combines two functions: In this case, the vessel is already visible on the monitor, and an image of the tissue around it is obtained, as with a conventional ultrasound. It turns out that this method, unlike Doppler ultrasound, helps in diagnosing the cause of poor vessel patency. It helps to visualize plaques, blood clots, tortuosity of blood vessels, and thickening of their walls.
With Triplex scanning, the vessel is visible on the monitor against the background of the image of the tissues in the thickness of which it passes. In this case, the vessel is painted in different colors depending on the speed of blood flow in it.

congenital anomalies of the location, course or branching of blood vessels
atherosclerosis
injury to an artery or vein
inflammatory change in the walls of arteries and capillaries (vasculitis)
diabetic, hypertensive, toxic angiopathy
encephalopathy
vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck helps to understand:

causes of repeated transient ischemic attacks, strokes
the degree of damage to these particular arteries due to metabolic or antiphospholipid syndromes
the degree of impairment of the patency of blood vessels in the arterial bed due to atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and smoking.

Knowledge of the condition of extra- and intracranial arteries and veins, obtained using duplex scanning, helps in prescribing proper treatment, objective monitoring of its effectiveness, drawing up an individual forecast.

Who needs to examine cerebral vessels

Duplex scanning (or at least ultrasound scanning) of intracranial arteries and veins (that is, those located in the cranial cavity) is indicated in cases of such complaints:

headache, noise in the ears or head
heaviness in the head
dizziness
visual impairment
attacks of impaired consciousness such as fainting or inadequacy
unsteadiness of gait
lack of coordination
impairment of speech production or understanding
limb weakness
numbness of hands.

The examination is also performed when pathology is detected in performing ultrasound examination vessels of the neck, when identifying pathology of the neck organs using CT, scintigraphy, MRI (for example, enlargement of the thyroid gland). In this case, in order to prescribe adequate therapy, a neurologist needs to know how all these diseases affect the brain, and whether its nutrition may suffer from this.

Indications for examination of the vascular bed of the head and neck

Ultrasound duplex scanning of those arteries and veins that supply blood to the brain, but are located in the neck (that is, extracranial - outside the cranial cavity) should be carried out in the following cases:

headache
dizziness
unsteadiness of gait
impaired memory, attention
coordination problems
when planning operations on blood vessels and heart muscles
when identifying pathology of the neck organs, due to which the vessels passing there may be compressed
visible contraction of the blood vessels of the heart.

When is routine Doppler sonography necessary?

Doppler of both extra- and intracranial arteries and veins should be performed at least once a year as a routine study (even before the appearance of any complaints):

all women over 45 years old
all men over 40 years old
those who have close relatives suffering from hypertension, diabetes, coronary disease
at diabetes mellitus
smoking
antiphospholipid syndrome
for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
metabolic syndrome
arterial hypertension
if you have had a stroke or transient cerebrovascular accident
if a person suffers from rhythm disturbances (the likelihood of cerebral thromboembolism with subsequent stroke is increased)
increased levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins in the blood (signs of atherosclerosis)
had surgery on the spinal cord or brain
before planned operation on the heart.

Ultrasound scanning of the vessels of the lower extremities

Atherosclerosis, endarteritis and diabetic vascular angiopathy lower limbs
Atherosclerosis of the visceral branches of the abdominal aorta (vessels supplying blood gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen and kidneys)
Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and other vessels
Varicose veins lower limbs
Vasculitis ( inflammatory disease vessels)
Vascular diseases of the brain and neck
Control of completed surgical intervention on vessels
Postthrombophlebitic disease
External vessel compression syndrome
Screening examination (a study to identify asymptomatic forms of the disease)
Thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis of the veins of the extremities
Thrombosis of intestinal vessels
Vascular trauma and its consequences