Overview
Sonography of the carotid artery
The carotid artery is located close to the surface of the skin and is therefore easily accessible for ultrasound examination. The carotid is often examined for arteriosclerosis and a thickened inner vessel wall and plaques are indicators for the disease. This examination is a simple method to check if vascular changes have occurred, especially in patents with risk factors, such as elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity or smoking.
Color-coded duplex sonography of the carotid vessels (carotid Doppler)
During a duplex sonography of the neck vessels the arteries are examined using ultrasound. In addition to the vessel itself, which is shown in black and white, the blood flow can also be visualized. The latter is displayed in color and is superimposed on the normal ultrasound image. With this method, the physician can check the patency, thickness and elasticity of the vessel and can detect constrictions, dilatations, vascular lesions, vascular malformations and disturbances in the blood flow.
Transcranial Duplex Sonography (TCD)
TCD can examine the superficial vessels, but also arteries deeper inside the head. It can be used to monitor blood flow in the brain and detect vascular dilatations, occlusions and malformations within the skull. Transcranial duplex sonography is also used for monitoring patients, e.g. to check cerebral blood flow during anesthesia or in patients with increased intracranial pressure.