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Carotid Ultrasound

Indications:

Transient ischemic attack (TIA/"mini stroke")

Symptoms include:

• Temporary loss of vision in one eye (amaurosis fugax)
• Weakness involving one side of the body
• Slurred or difficult speech (aphasia/dysphasia)

TIA symptoms resolve lasting less than 24 hours.  TIA's often precede a complete stroke   

• Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA/stroke)
• Bruit (brew-ee) turbulent noise heard in the neck with a stethescope
• Pre-operative screening prior to major surgery

Description:  This test uses Doppler ultrasound to assess the carotid and vertebral arteries which lie along the neck region.  Gel is placed along the neck and a probe is then run along the course of the neck to determine severity of blockages.