Carotid Ultrasound

Why have a Carotid Scan?

Your doctor will ask you to have a carotid ultrasound for a number of reasons; including prior to cardiac surgery, unusual "turns" and after a suspected stroke.

Preparation

It is advisable to wear an open-neck shirt and not a high necked sweater, to make it easier to scan the vessels in the neck. Please bring any relevant x-rays or scans.

Who does the test?

A Sonographer (technician specialising in ultrasound) will perform the examination and record the ultrasound images on CD.

The Procedure.

You will be asked to lie on a bed and bare your neck. A warm gel will be spread on your neck, which will allow us to obtain high quality images. A small towel will be used to protect your clothes.

When the Sonographer performs this scan, they will be using colour and pulsed Doppler, which means you will see different colours on the TV monitor and hear different sounds.

The Sonographer may tap you on the side of your head gently during the exam; this is to help identify different vessels.

You may be asked not to talk when the transducer is on your neck, as talking will make the vessels move.

After the examination is completed the Sonographer will wipe off the gel from your skin.

How long does it take?

The procedure takes 20-30 minutes.

After the examination

The Radiologist will review the ultrasound images and provide a written report to your doctor. 

Please settle your account on the day of the examination

Please contact Mokioa Radiology on  0800 466 564 for an appointment.