Carotid Ultrasound
What is a carotid ultrasound?
A carotid ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless screening test. Your doctor uses an ultrasound to look at the carotid arteries in your neck and see the flow of blood through them. Ultrasound, also called sonography, uses sound waves instead of X-rays to produce images of the body’s organs and tissues. A carotid ultrasound is an important test that can detect narrowing, or stenosis of the carotid arteries. Carotid artery stenosis is a major risk factor for stroke.
You have two carotid arteries, one on each side of your neck. Carotid arteries are major arteries that carry blood from your heart to your brain. A buildup of plaque can narrow or block your carotid arteries. This is called carotid artery disease, which increases your risk of stroke.
A carotid ultrasound is only one method used to screen for carotid artery disease. You should discuss different screening options with your doctor to best understand which option is right for you.
Types of carotid ultrasounds
The types of carotid ultrasounds include:
- Doppler carotid ultrasound produces images of the flow of blood through your carotid arteries.
- Standard carotid ultrasound produces images of the physical structure of your carotid arteries.
A carotid ultrasound typically includes both types of ultrasound.
Why is a carotid ultrasound performed?
Acarotid ultrasound is a procedurethat your doctor may recommend to diagnose or screen diseases and conditions of thecarotid arteries including:
- Blood clot in the carotid arteries that can slow or block blood flow to the brain
- Carotid artery dissection, which is a split in the layers of the carotid artery wall. It can slow blood flow or dangerously weaken the wall of the artery.
- Carotid artery stenosis, which is a narrowing of the carotid arteries due to a buildup of plaque inside them. This is a major risk factor for stroke. Your doctor may suspect this condition if you have a carotid bruit (pronounced broo-E). A carotid bruit is an abnormal sound heard through a stethoscope in the carotid arteries. Other risk factors that may indicate the need for a carotid ultrasound include high blood pressure, advanced age, diabetes, high cholesterol, and a personal or family history of stroke or heart attack.
- Congenital malformations, which are carotid artery abnormalities that are present at birth
- Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA is a group of stroke-like symptoms that generally resolve within 24 hours. However, they are warning signs that you are at risk for a severe stroke.
- Tumors. Rarely, tumors can develop where the carotid artery branches, compressing the artery and surrounding nerves.
How is a carotid ultrasound performed?
Your carotid ultrasound will be performed in a hospital or outpatient setting by a team led by a radiologist. A radiologist is a physician who is specialized in medical imaging. A radiologic technologist often performs the carotid ultrasound. A radiologic technologist is a medical professional who is specialized in medical imaging and the care of patients during imaging procedures.
The procedure will take less than an hour and generally includes these steps:
- You will dress in a patient gown or wear your own loose-fitting, open-necked clothing. You will need to remove all jewelry around your neck area.
- You will lie on your back on a procedure table. The radiologic technologist may move or tilt the table during your exam.
- Your radiologic technologist will put ultrasound gel on your neck. The gel helps the ultrasound equipment make full contact with your skin by eliminating air. It also allows the equipment to slide easily across your skin without discomfort.
- Your radiologic technologist will then place an ultrasound transducer on your skin. The transducer is a handheld wand that sends and receives the sound waves. The radiologic technologist presses it firmly onto your skin and moves it around to see the arteries and surrounding tissues. The transducer and sound waves are painless.
- You may have to move or tilt your head or shoulders to get the best angle for the transducer.
- Once the exam is complete, your team will wipe off the gel. The gel is water-based and washes away easily.
- You may wait a short period of time while the radiologic technologist or radiologist verifies that the imaging is complete. Usually, you can go home immediately after the exam.