What is a transcranial Doppler?

A transcranial Doppler is an ultrasound or imaging test that uses sound waves to study blood flow within the brain. It's painless and noninvasive. Providers use this test to diagnose conditions affecting how blood flows toward or through the brain, known as cerebrovascular diseases. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of some treatments.

What does a transcranial Doppler evaluate?

Your doctor can use transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to identify, diagnose, or detect a variety of cerebrovascular disorders, such as:

• Brain aneurysm.
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.
• Change in intracranial pressure.
• Emboli originating from the heart.
• Patent foramen ovale (PFO).
• Stenosis of brain arteries (atherosclerosis).
• Stroke risk with sickle cell anaemia.
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• Vasospasm.
• This test can also confirm brainstem death (brain death).

How does a transcranial Doppler work?

It is an ultrasound that sends sound waves through the tissues of your skull. The sound waves reflect from the blood cells moving in your blood vessel and are put on a computer screen by the recording ultrasound. Your radiologist or neurologist will interpret your sound waves' speed and direction.

What is the preparation needed for a Transcranial Doppler?

Generally, no special preparation is needed for the test. This test differs from preparing for other medical tests involving a hospital gown or requiring jewellery removal before the procedure.

According to your doctor, contact lens users should remove their lenses before the test.

If you are wearing a head covering for the test, your provider will discuss options for applying or removing a head covering. They will provide privacy so you can make any adjustments before and after the test.

Who does a transcranial Doppler?

A specially trained ultrasound technologist performs a Doppler. A board-certified radiologist or neurologist will do interpretation of the results.

How is transcranial Doppler ultrasound performed?

Steps involved in a transcranial Doppler ultrasound:

• You'll lie on a padded examining table or sit in a chair during the test.
• Your technician will apply a small amount of water soluble gel to the area he is going to image. This is usually over your back or front of your neck, one side above your cheekbone, in front of your ear, or over your eyelid. These are the blood vessel sites that feed your brain. The gel will not hurt your skin and also will not stain your clothes.
• A small wand device, called the transducer, will be placed by your technologist across the gel. It sends high-frequency sound waves through your brain and captures information regarding the return of blood flow. The ultrasound signal is shown on the computer's display screen as graphs or colour pictures. It would help if you held your head steady and did not make any comments during the test.
• Your provider will remove the gel from your skin after the test.
• As part of some of these tests, your provider will likely need to place an IV line into a vein in your arm and give you saline. This helps your provider determine if you have a hole in your heart, through which an embolism can travel from the right side to the left side and move upward to the brain.

Is a transcranial Doppler painful?

No. You will not experience pain or discomfort during the test. The gel might be cold when your technician applies it, but you will likely feel slight pressure where the transducer moves over your skin.

How long does a transcranial Doppler test take?

A transcranial Doppler usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. The time will depend upon the type and number of tests ordered. Your provider will be in a better position than I to tell you how much time to expect for your situation.

What happens after the transcranial Doppler?

After a transcranial Doppler, your provider should review the results. They could ask you to stay and go over the results on the same day.

You should usually be able to go home on the same day as the test. The ultrasound is noninvasive and poses no risk so that you may drive and resume your daily routine.

What are the adverse effects or complications of a transcranial Doppler ultrasound?

A transcranial Doppler ultrasound is a safe procedure. There is no risk involved. An ultrasound does not use radiation, as X-ray tests do.

What are the results of a transcranial Doppler?

After your exam is done, a radiologist or neurologist will read your images and send a report to the healthcare provider who requested the test.

Your doctor will discuss your test results with you. Results will be either normal or abnormal:

• Normal transcranial Doppler: Blood flow to and within your brain is normal.
• Abnormal transcranial Doppler studies: Blood is not flowing to or inside your head as it should. This may indicate having blocked or narrowed blood vessels that affect how they flow to the brain. Sometimes, this study may indicate the presence of an embolism coming from your heart or passing through a hole in your heart called the PFO.

Sometimes, your provider would require another follow-up test to get additional views of a specific area, monitor a particular medical condition, or see if treatment is effective.

Abnormal results can lead to a cerebrovascular disease diagnosis, and treatment may follow.

How long will I know the result of transcranial Doppler?

Results from the test: The results are available right after the test. Your provider will likely discuss those results with you after the test or schedule another appointment to discuss them.

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