Vascular duplex ultrasonography helps diagnose various congenital and acquired vascular system abnormalities, such as vascular narrowing, arterial blockages, atypical bends, atherosclerosis-affected arteries, and more.
In vascular duplex ultrasonography, high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are used to obtain an image. The equipment not only provides anatomical images of the examined structures but also records the direction and speed of blood flow, enabling the assessment of vascular changes and their functional state caused by diseases.
Why is duplex ultrasonography performed on brachiocephalic (neck) and transcranial (brain) blood vessels?
Duplex ultrasonography of the brachiocephalic and cerebral blood vessels is performed to examine the anatomy of the neck and brain arteries, detect possible atherosclerotic changes in the arterial walls, and assess blood flow changes. Atherosclerotic changes in the neck arteries are a prognostic indicator of atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries. Given the easy access to the neck arteries, duplex ultrasonography is an essential and straightforward method for all patients suspected of having vascular atherosclerotic changes.
Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the thickening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls, primarily caused by the deposition of lipids (fats) in the inner arterial wall, forming plaques (atherosclerotic narrowed regions) composed of fats (mainly cholesterol), smooth muscle cells, and connective tissue. As a result, the blood vessel narrows, disrupting blood supply. The examination also visualizes the anatomy of the veins in the neck and brain, detecting possible venous outflow disturbances.
Diagnostics of the head and neck vessels are most commonly required in cases of headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, instability, blood pressure fluctuations, elevated blood cholesterol levels, and other conditions. Neck brachiocephalic vessel duplex scanning helps determine the anatomy of the neck arteries, detect possible atherosclerotic changes in arterial walls, and assess blood flow changes. Duplex Doppler ultrasonography is highly informative for suspected cases of atherosclerotic changes in coronary arteries.
It is possible to perform both head and neck vascular examinations in a single session or separately.
