Dopplerography of vessels of the brain and neck. What is dopplerography (UZDG)?

Such a symptom, as a headache, is familiar to all. Often the cause of its appearance are vascular diseases. In most cases, they develop in middle and old age. Because of insufficient blood supply to the brain, signs of ischemia develop. These include: memory impairment, decreased performance, sleep disturbance. To diagnose ischemia, dopplerography of cerebral and neck vessels (UZDG) is performed. Among them, large arteries and veins, originating from the arch of the aorta. Currently, UZDG is carried out in almost all clinics. This study is not dangerous to health and painless.

What is Dopplerography of Vessels?

Ultrasonic dopplerography (UZDG) is performed for the investigation of veins or arteries. Most often thanks to this method I diagnose the pathology of the vessels of the lower and upper extremities, as well as the head and neck. This study can be conducted in patients of any age. There are practically no contraindications to dopplerography. It can be given to babies and pregnant women. Dopplerography of the vessels of the brain and neck is an instrumental method of investigation based on determining the rate of blood flow. Thanks to this diagnostic procedure, you can find out how much the arteries and veins are affected, the degree of narrowing of their lumen.

Dopplerography: the essence of the method

When assigning this method of diagnosis, patients are interested in: "What is Doppler?". You should know that this procedure is necessary to assess the condition of the vessels. It is carried out together with ultrasound (UZDG). With the help of dopplerography you can find out:

1. Speed and direction of blood flow. Often, in the pathologies of the arteries and veins, its slowing or acceleration, the swirl, is observed.
2. The state of the vessels. Due to UZDG, arterial or venous lumen arterial occlusion is determined by atherosclerotic plaques, thrombus, etc. In addition, this method allows to determine the weakness of the valve apparatus of the vessels.

The essence of the study is the scanning of the arterial or venous system. The image is displayed on the monitor. There are duplex and triplex scanning of vessels. At the first variant it is possible to estimate a condition of an endothelium and a lumen of arteries of a head and a neck. Triplex scanning is more complicated. With its help, a color image of the vascular system is obtained. This improves visualization, as well as provides an opportunity to assess the state of the blood flow.

Methods of conducting dopplerography

UZDG (dopplerography of the vessels) of the head and neck is performed in several ways. Each of them is effective in diagnosing certain diseases. The choice of the method of dopplerography depends on which part of the vascular bed is to be examined. Thus, they distinguish:

1. Carotid ultrasonography. At the same time, using a special device, the vessels in the neck region are examined. This method of visualization is most common. It is used for suspected neurological diseases associated with inadequate brain nutrition. The neck vessels are superficially located, the largest of them are the carotid arteries. Carotid ultrasonography is indicated for dizziness, fainting, worsening of sleep and memory, and neurologic symptoms.
2. Transcranial duplex scanning. The sensor is located in the occipital, temporal and temporal regions. In this way dopplerography of the head is performed. Due to this method, the anterior, posterior, middle and vertebral arteries are examined. Also, in this way, one can assess the condition of the direct sinus, the veins of Galen and Rosenthal.
3. Transorbital scanning. The sensor is mounted on the upper eyelid. With this access, blood flow in the supraclavicular and orbital arteries is assessed.

Indications for dopplerography

Dopplerography of the vessels of the brain and neck is performed when there is a suspicion of a circulatory disturbance. Chronic ischemia is manifested by such symptoms as worsening of memory, sleep, mental and nervous disorders. With acute circulatory disturbance, it is possible to develop convulsive syndrome, loss of consciousness, paresis or paralysis of the limbs. The following indications for carrying out UZDG of the arteries of the head and neck are distinguished:

1. Transient ischemic attack.
2. Stroke.
3. Encephalopathy.
4. Condition after acute impairment of cerebral circulation.
5. Suspicion of an aneurysm or malformation of blood vessels.
6. Dizziness and fainting of unclear etiology.
7. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.
8. Arterial hypertension.
9. Visual impairment: hemianopsia, diplopia, appearance of cattle.

Dopplerography in pregnancy is not contraindicated. In some cases this method of research is prescribed for suspected placental circulatory disorders. UZDG veins and arteries of the brain and neck of pregnant women are carried out in the presence of the above pathologies.

In what cases is dopplerography contraindicated?

The main advantage of dopplerography is the absence of contraindications to the study. In fact, the UZDG is a completely innocuous procedure. It can be performed at any age, even in the presence of chronic diseases. Nevertheless, there are cases when it is not recommended to perform dopplerography. Relative contraindications include severe conditions, in which the patient is difficult to be in a horizontal position. This can be observed with attacks of bronchial obstruction (COPD, asthma), acute cardiac and respiratory failure.

Preparation for dopplerography of the vessels of the head and neck

Dopplerography of the vessels of the brain and neck does not require special preparation. However, before carrying out this study, laboratory diagnostics is performed. When the patient is treated with complaints of headache, sleep, vision, memory impairment, tests are first assigned. Among them - UAC, OAM, blood biochemistry, coagulogram. If the laboratory data do not indicate the cause of such symptoms, it is necessary to carry out ultrasound of the vessels of the neck and head. Before dopplerography it is necessary to remove ornaments. The method of diagnosis is not accompanied by radiation on the body. If you need dopplerography in pregnancy, you should explain to a woman that this procedure is not dangerous to the fetus.

Technique of the survey

Regardless of the choice of access, the patient's position is lying on his back. When performing carotid ultrasonography, you need to turn your head to the right or left and slightly toss it back. The sensor is installed in the area of large and medium vessels. Before proceeding to the study, the surface of the neck is smeared with an acoustic gel, necessary to slip the device and improve visualization. After that, the device is moved to the skin, while the screen shows an image of the arteries and veins.

With transcranial duplex and triplex scanning, the vessels in the cranial cavity and beyond it are examined. For this, the patient is asked to sit. To assess the condition of the cerebral arteries, the sensor is placed first anteriorly, and then - from above and behind the auricle. Investigation of the direct sinus, the Rosenthal and Galen veins, parabasilar and cerebellar vessels can be done when the device is moved to the occipital region. Visualize the vertebral artery in two ways: using transcranial scanning or carotid sonography.

The examination of the vessels of the eyes is carried out in the lying position. In this case, the patient's eyelids should be closed. In addition, with the help of transorbital access, the internal carotid siphon is visualized.

Results of dopplerography of the vessels of the head and neck

After the study, it is necessary to evaluate the results and compare the findings with the norm. Carotid ultrasonography is performed to assess the shape of the vessels, their location, thickness and luminal state. Diastolic and systolic peak blood flow velocity in the carotid arteries is also determined. Normally, it should not exceed 0.9. If this indicator is close to 1.5, the narrowing of the lumen of the vessel is about 50%. With complete obturation of the artery, the peak velocity is not determined (equal to 0). This condition occurs with thrombosis or embolism of the vessel and can lead to death. The narrowing of the lumen is observed with atherosclerosis. This disease is common among the elderly and often causes the development of dyscirculatory encephalopathy, as well as acute impairment of cerebral circulation.

With duplex or triplex color scanning, in addition to the listed indicators, possible changes in blood flow (speed, direction) are evaluated. It is also possible to visualize the degree of filling of vessels. Information on the weakness of venous valves can be obtained by carrying out functional tests (ask the patient to take a sip, change the position of the body).

UZDG vessels of the head and neck: the price of the procedure

Dopplerography is performed in most clinics that have a department or rooms for functional diagnostics. Before you come to the examination, you need to pre-register for UZDG vessels of the head and neck. The price of this procedure will depend on the choice of the clinic. On average, it is 2300-3500 rubles. It is advisable to have a direction for research. In some clinics, dopplerography of the vessels of the neck and head is done both separately and together. The price depends on it. The cost of UZDG vessels of the neck (or head) is from 1100 to 1800 rubles.

Doctor's comments about dopplerography

According to doctors, dopplerography of the vessels is the standard in the diagnosis of brain diseases. Advantages of this method in its safety and high information content. In addition, there are no contraindications to the USDG. SPB (St. Petersburg) is a city in which there are many clinics with equipped cabinets of radiation diagnostics. Dopplerography of the vessels of the head and neck can be done in medical centers: Lakhta, MEDEM, Energo, Longevity, etc.