PATIENT INFORMATION

Ultrasound

This is an image of the right internal carotid artery,
a major artery in the neck that supplies the right side
of the brain.

Move mouse over sections of the image to read description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to image the body. The sound waves are transmitted through the body by the Transducer which is moved along the surface of the skin. The returning echoes (sound that is reflected back from the different tissue interfaces) are process by the computer to form a diagnostic image.

Vascular Ultrasound utilizes a combination of imaging (B-mode), colour and Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the blood vessels. It is used to examine both the arteries and veins within the body.

With arterial scans, the vessel wall are assessed for atheroma, (plaque), the speed and direction of the blood flow is used to grade any stenotic lesions (narrowing of the blood vessels).

In the venous scan, the function of the vein valves are examined as well as looking for possible thrombosis(DVT).