Ultrasound of blood vessels of the head and neck is the most effective and at the same time safe method for diagnosing disorders of the blood vessels of the brain and spinal cord. The procedure allows diagnosing atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases, evaluating the blood vessels and blood supply to the brain.

The head and neck ultrasound allows examining all main arteries and veins, disorder of which can be dangerous to health and life.

Both traditional ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound are used to examine the blood vessels. The latter method is more accurate: duplex scanning allows not only evaluating the blood flow, but also examining the structure of blood vessels and the thickness of their lumens. With the help of Doppler ultrasound, anomalies are easier to detect and a diagnostic picture will be more accurate.

Ultrasound of blood vessels of the neck 

Ultrasound of blood vessels of the neck is a simple, affordable and effective diagnostic method that allows detecting a wide range of vascular abnormalities. A timely visit to a doctor allows making an accurate diagnosis and taking the necessary measures before dangerous complications appear.

The method is based on the Doppler effect. The visualization occurs as follows: special ultrasound transducers emit ultrasonic waves that pass through the blood vessels, reflecting from blood cells, and then display corresponding graphs on the screen. This allows observing the morphology of blood vessels, changes in blood circulation and evaluating the surrounding tissues in real time.

With the help of ultrasound of blood vessels of the neck, the vascular patency is mainly examined, the vertebral, carotid and subclavian arteries, as well as the brachial plexus, are evaluated. 

When the procedure is mandatory?

The abnormal changes in the blood vessels of the head and neck are a dangerous condition, which in severe cases leads to the brain oxygen deprivation. That is why, everyone should get this ultrasound. The risk group mainly includes people who smoke, are overweight, have high cholesterol, have a family history of cardiovascular diseases, have diabetes or have had head injuries. Such patients should undergo regular ultrasound examinations of blood vessels of the neck to monitor important health indicators.

 The most common signs of cerebrovascular insufficiency include the following:

• dizziness, including when turning the head;
• complaints of headache and migraine; 
• episodes of sudden loss of consciousness, which cannot be explained;
• noise in the head, ringing in ears; 
• sudden loss of visual acuity, eye floaters; 
• coordination disorder, general weakness, fatigue, lack of oxygen, limb numbness.

If you notice these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately. The ultrasound examination is available in Berehynia clinic, located in the center of Lviv. Our experienced doctors will accurately identify various disorders and diseases of the cardiovascular system, evaluate the reserve capacity of the blood flow and tone, and monitor the effectiveness of prescribed therapy.

Algorithm of the procedure and preparation for ultrasound

A vascular ultrasound has no age restrictions. It can be performed on children who have reached the age of one month and repeated many times over a short period of time. The procedure is performed in several stages. First, a doctor applies a special gel to the appropriate area of the skin, which enhances the signal and ensures proper contact between a transducer and the skin. During the procedure, the transducer sends imperceptible impulses and the computer collects and processes the information received. A doctor carefully examines the image, notes changes and makes high precision diagnosis in a short interval of time.

The ultrasound of blood vessels of the neck lasts from 20 to 30 minutes, after which the patient can return to their daily routine. No special preparation is required, but it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:

• limit or stop taking medications that affect blood circulation; to be discussed with your doctor;
• do not drink alcohol and drinks containing caffeine: coffee, tea, energy drinks for a few days before the procedure;
• do not smoke 2 hours before the procedure.

The ultrasound of blood vessels of the neck should be done in a calm psychoemotional state, because excessive excitement can distort the results obtained. As for the accuracy of the examination, much depends on the experience of the specialist and its ability to correctly interpret the data obtained. Therefore, you should trust only highly qualified health professionals.