provides a full line of neurovascular Doppler services. These clinical ultrasound services are integrated within Division of Stroke and Critical Care in providing a state-of-the-art ultrasound imaging of the carotid, vertebral, and subclavian arteries as well as Circle of Willis. Imaging of these vascular segments is combined with the functional testing of blood flow and assessments of vasoreactive capacity of the brain. Having all sonographic services offered within the Department provide patients with a comprehensive diagnosis and non-invasive follow-up of various vascular treatments and procedures (patients' guide).
Members of our Laboratory team are leaders in the neurosonology field, not only in the U.S., but also internationally. The Doppler Neurosonology Laboratory is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). We are committed to providing our patients with the highest level of care through superior expertise, cutting edge technology and adhering to strict Quality Assurance standards. Our activities also include extensive research and development (research Doppler lab), education and training.
The following procedures are available in our Doppler Neurosonology Laboratory:
A complete color and B-mode imaging of the carotid artery wall andsurroundstructures combined with pulsed Doppler measures the blood
flow velocities. Power Doppler is several times more sensitive than color Doppler, and therefore can help to obtain pictures that are difficult or impossible from standard color Doppler.
A complete color and B-mode imaging of the vertebral arteries and combined with color and power Doppler measures the blood flow velocities.
A high-resolution B-mode imaging and automated edge-detection of
the carotid artery wall thickness may help to estimate individual
vascular risk and follow-up the effects of the various "anti-atherosclerotic" therapies.
A non invasive ultrasound technology used to evaluate blood flow
velocity in the major basal intracranial arteries.
This technique provides continued surveillance of the TCD waveforms during various procedures, e.g. during the carotid endarterectomy in order to ensure adequate perfusion of the middle cerebral arteries and prevent intra-operative and early postoperative cerebral infarction.
A non-invasive method for assessment of cerebral vasoreactive reserve
by bilateral simultaneous TCD recordings from both middle cerebral
arteries and a vasodilatatory challenge with inhalation of a 5% air/carbon
dioxide mixture.
TCD - High Intensity Transient Signals (HITS)
test with and without IV microbubble injections
Transcranial Doppler technique that helps the classification and
quantification of intracranial emboli by investigating the appearance
of HITS in the TCD waveform as indicators of circulating microemboli,
or for presence of a patent foramen ovale (or other right to left
intracardiac shunts) in absence of other embolic sources.
TCCS
is a newer technique that permits the real-time visualization of
the intracranial vascular anatomy and blood flow dynamics.
