CAROTID DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

Carotid Doppler ultrasound

• What – this is a painless ultrasound (very high frequency) designed to look at the vessels and blood flow in the large vessels in your neck. An ultra-sonographer or radiologist will perform the investigation by placing a blunt probe gently against your neck usually using a coupling gel to improve the images. You will merely need to keep still whilst the imaging is being performed.

• Why – a carotid Doppler ultrasound is usually performed to look at the inside of the large vessels in your neck and the blood flow within them. It is often requested if a doctor thinks that there may be poor blood flow to your eye or brain.

• Preparation – no specific preparation for the carotid Doppler ultrasound is needed.

• Risk – the procedure is painless and there are no risks associated with carotid Doppler ultrasound.

• How long will it take – a carotid Doppler ultrasound investigation will probably take between 10-20 minutes but remember there could be a wait in a queue here too!