The brain needs oxygen. Its deficiency 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 a 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 identify a violation of 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 an ultrasound scan
USDG is the abbreviation for Doppler Ultrasound. The method of modern instrumental research. Ultrasonic waves penetrate the body and are reflected from tissues. This data is recorded by a special sensor on the computer. The doctor sees an image of the internal tissues on the monitor. When the sensor approaches the object under study, the frequency of the sound increases, and when it moves away, it decreases. Dopplerography determines the speed and nature of blood flow in the veins and arteries. At the same time, an image is displayed on the screenblood colors. In the direction of the sensor, it is red, the reverse current is blue.
Another ultrasound method is transcranial dopplerography. In this case, the examination is carried out using acoustic windows in the head. Such windows are the eyes, the temples, the articulation of the occipital bone, the spine. How is ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck, which shows, we will consider further.
Symptomatics for ultrasound appointment
With the development of pathological processes in the blood vessels of the brain, certain symptoms appear that must be assessed and investigated for treatment.
The doctor prescribes an ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck if you have the following complaints and symptoms:
- Frequent headaches.
- Migraines.
- Dizziness when turning head, tinnitus.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Hearing loss.
- Sharp and sudden loss of vision.
- Violation of memory, brain activity.
- The appearance of goosebumps and spots before the eyes.
- Blood pressure fluctuates.
- Sudden fainting.
- High blood cholesterol.
- Numbness and weakness in upper and lower limbs.
For USDG of the vessels of the head and neck, the indications can be not only based on complaints, but also as an appointment for a study for more effective treatment based on previously established medical findings.
Medical indications for Doppler ultrasound
The basis for holdingprocedures may serve as a suspicion of circulatory disorders. To confirm and prescribe treatment, as well as to evaluate treatment tactics in the following cases:
- Monitoring of cerebral blood flow during surgery.
- Finding microemboli in transient circulatory disorders.
- Early detection of intracranial vascular disease.
- After suffering traumatic brain injury in order to clarify blood flow disorders.
- Analysis of vascular lesions after an infectious disease.
- After an organ transplant to assess the hemodynamics of the brain.
- To give a correct assessment of angiospasm in the selection of therapy in the treatment of migraine.
- In cases of spinal curvature due to compression of the vertebral arteries, cervical osteochondrosis, finding the cause of poor blood circulation in the brain.
- When deformity, blockage or narrowing of extracranial vertebral or carotid arteries.
- Change in the intracranial arteries.
What the study reveals
If the patient came to the doctor with the complaints indicated above, after an ultrasound scan, the cause may be established. Consider what the ultrasound of the vessels of the head and neck shows:
- Assesses the condition of the vertebral arteries.
- Determines the speed of blood flow in the main arteries.
- Assesses the degree of narrowing of the arteries.
- Detects vascular aneurysms in the brain.
- Determines the degree of vessel deformation during bending, squeezing.
- Analyzes the pathological state as a result of accumulationatherosclerotic plaques or thrombosis.
- Circulatory failure.
- Angiospasms.
- Increased intracranial pressure.
Having an assessment of these indicators and taking into account their deviation from the norm, the doctor can prescribe more effective treatment and monitor the patient's condition.
Contraindications
It is worth noting that this study has no contraindications. It can even be given to children. During the procedure, there is no negative impact, 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 times of exacerbation, which does not allow them to take a lying position. And also in chronic forms of heart failure.
Ultrasound for children
As mentioned above, this type of diagnosis is assigned even to children. What symptoms should a child have? With what existing complaints will the doctor prescribe an ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck for children? This is:
- Inattention. Restlessness. Very bad memory.
- Frequent dizziness.
- Frequent headaches.
- Speech delay.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Fatigue, lethargy.
- Psycho-emotional disinhibition.
- Residual effects of perinatal encephalopathy.
- Suspicion of a cervical vertebrae injury.
- There are diseases that can cause cerebrovascular accident: diabetes, vasculitis, hypertension.
What are the features of conducting research in children
You can prescribe an ultrasound scan procedure not only for a child older than a year, but also for a newborn. This is especially necessary for those babies who have received birth injuries, namely soft tissue damage, head or spine injuries.
The child does not require any preparatory activities. In a newborn, research is carried out 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, injuries of the vessels of the head, spine, neck during labor.
If deviations are detected, 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 are affected, as well as soft tissues. Timely treatment will help prevent the development of serious complications and dangerous consequences.
The procedure for ultrasound examination 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 is painless and safe.
How to prepare for an ultrasound scan
Diagnosis of ultrasound does not require special preparation. However, any impact on the vessels before the procedure should be avoided. You need to consult and recommend a doctor if youare taking any medications on an ongoing basis. It may be worth temporarily stopping the reception, so as not to distort the results of the ultrasound scan.
On the day of the study, do not:
- Drink strong tea or coffee.
- Smoking.
- Drink alcohol and energy drinks containing guarana.
During the procedure, the patient should be calm, the body is relaxed.
How to prepare your child for the procedure
As for an adult, no special preparation is required before the procedure. But it is worth considering some recommendations:
- Child should not be hungry.
- Don't get thirsty.
- Should be calm, not nervous or crying.
You must bring a diaper with you, on which you can put the baby. Wet wipes are needed to remove the gel after the procedure. You should also bring milk or water with you.
It is better to explain to an older child before an ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck how the procedure is performed, to say that it is safe and painless. It can be in the form of a game, so as not to scare. Also ask your baby to follow the doctor's requests.
Ultrasound examination
The study takes place in a specially equipped room, which has a couch and a special apparatus. The sequence of the procedure for ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck is as follows:
- The patient takes a supine position on the couch. At the same time, he should be calm, in a relaxed state.
- The doctor checks the pulsation and probes the carotid arteries, identifying themlocation.
- The patient is offered to turn his head in different directions.
- The doctor determines the speed of blood flow and the tone of the arteries.
- Determine the condition and location of the vertebral arteries and the degree of their deformation or changes.
- Development of the collateral system.
- Intensity of venous outflow from the brain.
- Permeability and filling of blood vessels.
- Identifies signs of cerebrovascular accident, anomalies in the development of blood vessels and symptoms indicating pathology.
- An ultrasound protocol is being compiled. It lists all the examined vessels.
- Describe the results of ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck. The diagnosis is formulated.
- At the end, the diagnostician writes recommendations for further treatment and makes a conclusion.
The study lasts a few minutes. Then the patient waits for some time for the doctor's opinion, with whom he applies for further treatment.
How the ultrasound results are deciphered
Only experienced specialists are engaged in deciphering the obtained indicators. There are norms, deviations from which allow one to draw conclusions about existing violations. Below are some indicators within the normal range:
- The blood flow velocity for the external ECA and internal ICA branches should be the same.
- The carotid artery arises from the left side of the main artery, and from the right side from the brachiocephalic trunk.
- The internal branch of the carotid artery has no branches before entering the skeleton of the head.
- No arteriovenous malformations.
- Peripheral branch extends from the outer branch.
- If there are no ramifications, there is no turbulent flow.
- Vessels are free, do not have atherosclerotic changes. Clearance free.
- The external branch of the common carotid artery has a three-phase waveform.
- Internal - single-phase waveform.
- Vertebral arteries with a diameter of no more than 0.04 cm.
- Vessels have a wall thickness of no more than 0.11 cm.
All defects and deviations in the decoding are indicated. The reliability of the indicators and examination of the ultrasound scan of the vessels of the head and neck, decoding depend on the skill level of the diagnostician.
Possible diagnoses
Let's give examples of some deviations and what diseases they can be:
- In the presence of atherosclerotic plaques - stenosing atherosclerosis. The peculiarity of the structure of plaques and their ability to block the vessels are indicated. The thickness of the intima-media complex will also be increased.
- Narrowing of the lumen in the vessels by 20% and uneven echogenicity in large arteries indicates non-stenosing atherosclerosis.
- Anomalous vasculature. Signs of lipotic infiltrates and calcification, as well as hypertrophied veins. Violation of cerebral circulation. This indicates a vascular malformation.
- Decreased echogenicity, diffuse thickening of vessel walls, and atherosclerotic lesions suggest temporal arteritis.
- Vertebrate hypoplasiaarteries is accompanied by a decrease in blood vessels in diameter up to 2 mm or less. In this case, it is possible for the cervical vertebrae to enter the canal of the transverse processes.
In order to timely detect these diseases and begin effective treatment, it is necessary to undergo ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck.
Who to contact
To undergo an ultrasound scan, you must apply for a referral to 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 do 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 the present time. And also in stationary departments: neurological, cardiological and so on. Appointment required in advance.
What is the cost of an ultrasound scan
In the direction of the attending physician at the clinic, ultrasound can be done free of charge, but there is one minus - this is the queue. It can take one or 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 the equipment, the level of the medical institution. The average price is 2-3 thousand rubles. The procedure is available to everyone and is available in many medical institutions.
