What is Carotid Ultrasound Imaging?
Ultrasound scanning, also called ultrasound imaging or sonography, produces pictures of the inside of the body by exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body’s internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels. Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Your body’s two carotid arteries, are located on each side of the neck and carry blood from the heart to the brain. Ultrasound imaging provides detailed pictures of these blood vessels. Doppler ultrasound study may be part of the examination to evaluate blood as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.
