Neck ultrasound predicts stroke risk

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Le Xuan Thiep - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital


Cervical carotid ultrasound is a widely used method for early detection of atherosclerotic plaques that cause carotid artery stenosis and aneurysms. From there, this method helps to predict the risk of stroke effectively.

1. The role of neck ultrasound - Carotid ultrasound

The carotid artery is an artery in the neck that plays an important role in supplying oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Carotid ultrasound is an imaging technique that plays an important role in medicine, using reflected ultrasound waves to diagnose stroke (cerebrovascular accident). This technique helps to check the condition and abnormalities of the carotid artery, see if there is a blockage, how the blood flows through,...
Based on the ultrasound image, the doctor can detect can show atherosclerotic plaques inside the carotid artery with clear information about location, size, degree of narrowing,... These plaques can be calcium, cholesterol,... accumulation Long-term narrowing of the carotid artery, obstructing blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.
Therefore, carotid ultrasound helps to detect carotid atherosclerosis early to have timely treatment (with drugs or surgery). Your doctor will look for ways to improve blood flow to the brain to reduce the risk of stroke.

2. Subjects need to do carotid ultrasound

An ultrasound of the neck is done to check for plaque in the carotid artery, thereby screening the risk of stroke (due to stenosis, complete blockage of the carotid artery). It is necessary to perform carotid ultrasound for the following subjects:
People with cerebrovascular accident or transient cerebrovascular accident; Patients after surgery to place carotid artery stents have ultrasound to check the position of the stent, the patency of the carotid artery; Patients after surgery on carotid artery, aorta, coronary artery, peripheral artery,... are assigned carotid ultrasound to check the recovery; People with murmurs in the carotid region. The murmur is a sign suggesting partial occlusion of the carotid artery (possibly causing a cerebrovascular accident); People with suspected carotid artery wall dissection and weakening, affecting blood flow to the brain; Screening test in patients at high risk of cerebrovascular accident such as patients over 70, with diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia,... These patients are indicated for examination. carotid artery periodically even when no atherosclerotic plaque is found.

3. Procedure for performing carotid ultrasound

3.1 Preparation This is a painless imaging technique and requires no special preparation. In order for the ultrasound to be effective, the patient should wear a shirt without a collar, an open or wide collar, and a necklace should not be worn.
3.2 Performing Carotid ultrasound is usually done by a vascular or radiologist. This technique is painless, usually done in no more than 30 minutes.
When performing, the patient is asked to lie on his back, with his head tilted to both sides in turn to examine the carotid arteries on each side. The doctor will apply a layer of gel to the patient's neck area. This gel allows the ultrasonic waves to be better penetrated (no harm to the skin). Next, a transducer that emits ultrasound waves is moved along the patient's neck area. The echo signal will be recorded by the transducer, creating a dynamic image of the carotid artery.
3.3 After Ultrasound The patient can return to normal work immediately after the ultrasound.
Carotid ultrasound is a safe, painless imaging technique that plays an important role in diagnosing atherosclerosis and carotid occlusion. Therefore, when there are abnormal signs of the body or when there are high risks of warning carotid artery disease, patients should go to the doctor early for timely diagnosis and treatment, and limit the risk of stroke. , stroke.

Besides the ultrasound method, currently, Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI/MRA is considered a "golden" tool to screen for brain stroke. MRI is used to check the condition of most organs in the body, especially valuable in detailed imaging of the brain or spinal nerves. Due to the good contrast and resolution, MRI images allow to detect abnormalities hidden behind bone layers that are difficult to recognize with other imaging methods. MRI can give more accurate results than X-ray techniques (except for DSA angiography) in diagnosing brain diseases, cardiovascular diseases, strokes,... Moreover, the process MRI scans do not cause the side effects seen in X-rays or computed tomography (CT).
Vinmec International General Hospital currently owns a 3.0 Tesla MRI System, which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment by GE Healthcare (USA) with high image quality, allowing for a comprehensive assessment, without omitting the injury without leaving any damage. and reduce shooting time. Silent technology helps to reduce noise, create comfort and reduce stress for the client during the shooting process, resulting in better image quality and shorter imaging time. With the state-of-the-art MRI system With the application of modern methods of cerebral vascular intervention, a team of experienced and well-trained neurologists and radiologists, Vinmec is a prestigious address for stroke risk screening and screening. reliable goods.
In the past time; Vinmec has successfully treated many cases of stroke in a timely manner, leaving no sequelae: saving the life of a patient suffering from 2 consecutive strokes; Responding to foreign female tourists to escape the "death door" of a stroke;...

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