The brain needs oxygen. Its lack can cause pathological processes. Violation of blood flow over time will cause irreversible processes. This can significantly affect the brain, mental activity of a person, lead to stroke and disability. The most effective diagnostic method in such cases is ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck. This method allows you to detect impaired blood flow, changes in the vessels of the brain in the early stages. Let us consider in more detail how it is carried out and what ultrasound shows.
What is ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound is an acronym for Doppler ultrasound. The method of modern instrumental research. Ultrasonic waves penetrate the body and are reflected from the tissues. These data are recorded by a special sensor on the computer. The doctor sees the image of internal tissues on the monitor. When the sensor approaches the object under study, the frequency of sound increases, with distance it decreases. Dopplerography determines the speed and nature of blood flow in veins and arteries. In this case, the image of the color of blood is visible on the screen. In the direction of the sensor, it is red, the reverse current is blue.
Another method of ultrasound scan is transcranial dopplerography. In this case, the examination is carried out using acoustic windows in the head. Such windows are the eyes, temples, the junction of the occipital bone, and the spine. How is the ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck, which shows, we will consider further.
Symptoms for the appointment of ultrasound
With the development of pathological processes in the blood vessels of the brain, certain symptoms appear that need to be evaluated and investigated to prescribe treatment.
The doctor prescribes ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, if you have the following complaints and symptoms:
- Frequent headaches.
- Migraine.
- Dizziness when turning the head, tinnitus.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Hearing loss.
- A sharp and sudden drop in vision.
- Impaired memory, brain activity.
- The appearance of goosebumps and spots in front of the eyes.
- Blood pressure is inconsistent.
- Sudden fainting.
- High blood cholesterol.
- Numbness and weakness in the upper and lower extremities.
For ultrasound of vessels of the vessels of the head and neck, the indications can be not only based on complaints, but also as the appointment of a study for more effective treatment based on previously established medical findings.
Doppler medical indications
The basis for the procedure may be a suspicion of a circulatory disturbance. To confirm and prescribe treatment, as well as to evaluate treatment tactics in the following cases:
- Observation of cerebral blood flow during surgery.
- Finding microembolism with transient circulatory disorders.
- Detection of intracranial vascular lesions at an early stage.
- After suffering traumatic brain injuries in order to clarify blood flow disorders.
- Analysis of vascular lesions after an infectious disease.
- After organ transplantation to assess brain hemodynamics.
- To give the correct assessment of angiospasm in the selection of therapy in the treatment of migraine.
- In cases of curvature of the spine during compression of the vertebral arteries, cervical osteochondrosis, finding the cause of poor blood circulation in the brain.
- With deformation, blockage or narrowing of extracranial vertebral or carotid arteries.
- Change in intracranial arteries.
What the study reveals
If the patient came to the doctor with the complaints mentioned above, after the ultrasound scan, the reason may be established. Consider what shows the ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck:
- Assesses the condition of the vertebral arteries.
- Determines the speed of blood flow in the main arteries.
- Estimates the degree of narrowing of the arteries.
- Detects vascular aneurysms of the brain.
- Determines the degree of deformation of blood vessels during bending, squeezing.
- It analyzes the pathological condition as a result of the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques or thrombosis.
- Impaired blood circulation.
- Angiospasms.
- Increased intracranial pressure.
Having an assessment of these indicators and given their deviation from the norm, the doctor can prescribe a more effective treatment and monitor the patient's condition.
Contraindications
It is worth noting that this study has no contraindications. It can be prescribed even to children. During the procedure, there is no negative effect, neither physical nor medicinal.
The only contraindication may be that the patient cannot take the necessary position during the procedure. This is quite possible for some people suffering from severe forms of bronchial asthma at the time of exacerbation, which does not allow them to occupy a lying position. And also in chronic forms of heart failure.
USDG for children
As indicated above, this type of diagnosis is prescribed even for children. What symptoms should a child alert? With what existing complaints will the doctor prescribe ultrasound for the vessels of the head and neck of the children? It:
- Inattention. Restlessness. Very bad memory.
- Frequent dizziness.
- Frequent headaches.
- Delay in speech development.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Fatigue, lethargy.
- Psycho-emotional disinhibition.
- Residual effects of perinatal encephalopathy.
- Suspected injury to the cervical vertebrae.
- There are diseases that can cause cerebrovascular accident: diabetes, vasculitis, hypertension.
What are the features of conducting a study in children
The procedure for ultrasound can be assigned not only to a child older than a year, but also to a newborn. This is especially necessary for those infants who have received birth injuries, namely damage to soft tissues, injuries to the head or spine.
The child does not need any preparatory measures. In a newborn, studies are conducted through the natural openings of the head - fontanelles. Carrying out this procedure in the first weeks of life helps to timely diagnose diseases of the brain, vascular injuries of the head, spine, neck during labor.
If abnormalities are found, doctors will be able to provide timely assistance with increased intracranial pressure, to prevent the manifestation of cerebral palsy. However, it should be borne in mind that it is very important to establish whether large nerves and soft tissues are affected. Timely treatment will help prevent the development of serious complications and dangerous consequences.
The procedure of ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck will not affect the child in any way, since there are no loud sounds from the device. Everything goes smoothly and safely.
How to prepare for USDG
Diagnostics of ultrasound examination does not require special preparation. However, any effect on the vessels should be avoided before the procedure. Consultation and recommendations of a doctor are necessary if you are taking any drugs on an ongoing basis. It may be worthwhile to temporarily stop taking it so as not to distort the results of the ultrasound scan.
On the day of the study should not:
- Drink strong tea or coffee.
- To smoke.
- Drink alcohol and energy drinks containing guarana.
During the procedure, the patient should be calm, the body relaxed.
How to prepare your child for the procedure
As for an adult, special preparation before the procedure is not required. But it is worth considering some recommendations:
- A child should not be hungry.
- Do not be thirsty.
- Must be calm, not nervous and not cry.
You need to bring a diaper with you, on which you can put the baby. Wet wipes are required to remove the gel after the procedure. You also need to take milk or water with you.
It is better to explain how the procedure is carried out to an older child before the ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck , to say that it is safe and painless. It is possible in the form of a game, so as not to scare. Also ask your baby to follow the doctor’s request.
Conducting a study of ultrasound
The study takes place in a specially equipped office, in which there is a couch and a special apparatus. The sequence of ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck is as follows:
- The patient is lying on the couch. It should be calm, in a relaxed state.
- The doctor checks the pulsation and probes the carotid arteries, determining their location.
- The patient is offered to make head turns in different directions.
- The doctor determines the speed of blood flow and the tone of the arteries.
- The condition and location of the vertebral arteries and the degree of their deformation or changes are determined.
- The development of the collateral system.
- The intensity of the venous outflow from the brain.
- Patency and vascular filling.
- Signs of cerebrovascular accident, abnormalities in the development of blood vessels and symptoms indicating pathology are determined.
- An ultrasound protocol is drawn up. It lists all the test vessels.
- Describe the results of ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck. The diagnosis is formulated.
- At the end, the diagnostician writes recommendations for subsequent treatment and concludes.
The study lasts several minutes. Then the patient awaits the conclusion of a doctor for some time, with whom he seeks further treatment.
How to decipher the results of ultrasound
Decryption of the obtained indicators is carried out only by experienced specialists. There are norms, deviations from which allow us to draw conclusions about existing violations. Here are some indicators within normal limits:
- The blood flow rate for the external HCA and internal ICA branches should be the same.
- The carotid artery leaves on the left side of the main artery, and on the right - from the brachiocephalic trunk.
- The internal branch of the carotid artery does not have branches before entering the skeleton of the head.
- There are no arteriovenous malformations.
- The peripheral branch departs from the outer branch.
- If there are no branches, there is no turbulent blood flow.
- The vessels are free, do not have atherosclerotic changes. The clearance is free.
- The external branch of the common carotid artery has a three-phase waveform.
- Internal - a single-phase waveform.
- Vertebral arteries with a diameter of not more than 0.04 cm.
- The vessels have a wall thickness of not more than 0.11 cm.
All defects and deviations in the decoding are indicated. The reliability of indicators and examinations of ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, decoding depends on the level of qualification of the doctor-diagnostician.
Possible diagnoses
Here are examples of some deviations and what diseases it can be:
- In the presence of atherosclerotic plaques - stenotic atherosclerosis. The structural features of the plaques and their ability to block the vessels are indicated. The thickness of the intima-media complex will also be increased.
- A narrowing of the lumen in the vessels by 20% and uneven echogenicity in the large arteries suggests non-stenotic atherosclerosis.
- Abnormal vascular network. Signs of lipose infiltrates and calcifications, as well as hypertrophic veins. Cerebrovascular accident. This indicates vascular malformation.
- Reduced echogenicity, diffuse thickening of the walls of blood vessels, as well as atherosclerotic lesions indicate temporal arteritis.
- Hypoplasia of the vertebral arteries is accompanied by a decrease in blood vessels in diameter to 2 or less millimeters. In this case, the cervical vertebrae may enter the canal of the transverse processes.
In order to timely detect these diseases and begin effective treatment, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck.
Who to contact
To undergo ultrasound, you must seek the direction of your doctor. Then the neuropathologist, based on the results of the study, will prescribe an effective treatment. The patient must have a referral and an outpatient card. Where to make an ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck, the attending physician will tell you.
Such a study is carried out in many clinics at present. And also in inpatient departments: neurological, cardiology and so on. Make an appointment in advance.
What is the cost of ultrasound
In the direction of the attending physician in the clinic UZDG you can go for free, but there is one drawback - this is the turn. It can stretch for one, two weeks. While paid diagnostics can be carried out at a convenient time for you.
The cost of ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck ranges from 500 rubles to 6000 rubles. It all depends on the qualification level of the diagnostician, the cost of equipment, the level of the medical institution. The average price is 2-3 thousand rubles. The procedure is available to everyone and is in many medical institutions.