What is head ultrasound and how is it done?

1 Ultrasound of the brain

An ultrasound examination of the brain is known as neurosonography. Generally speaking, neurosonography is done only for children up to a year, because they do not yet have fontanelles closed. Adults who have bones of the cranium adjacent to each other tightly, ultrasound waves can go through soft tissues, but bone tissue is impenetrable for them.

What can a specialist who diagnoses the brain using ultrasound see? He is able to determine the size of various parts of the brain, the presence of infectious diseases of his shells, defects and pathological formations: hematomas, cysts, tumors and other changes in the structure of brain tissue.

In addition, the study of the state of cerebral vessels. Typically, this type of diagnosis is recommended for all newborn babies, but especially for premature babies, children with insufficient birth weight, those who have suffered a trauma or suspected of any abnormalities of development.

2 Dopplerography: the essence of the

method Often when using the term "ultrasound of the head" is meant dopplerography, in which ultrasound is also used. The meaning of the technique is that from moving objects - in this case from blood cells - ultrasonic waves are reflected with a changed frequency. In nature, this effect is successfully used by bats and dolphins. In medical practice, this modern method of investigation is used to study blood flow in human vessels - any, but not too small.

Proper blood supply to the brain is extremely important, a violation of this process can lead to the death of brain cells and, consequently, to strokes. A study based on the Doppler effect examines the nature and speed of blood flow, the pressure and direction of blood in the vessels, as well as the state of the vessels, the degree of their patency, the elasticity and tonus of their walls.

The uniformity and homogeneity of the filling of the vessels also matters. The difference in "normal" ultrasound and Doppler research consists in the device of the device sensor.

The Doppler study will help to detect with a high degree of accuracy in blood vessels, including the brain, thrombi, atherosclerotic plaques, inflammatory processes, spasms and malformations, determine treatment and monitor its effectiveness. As a rule, not only the vessels of the head, but also the neck are examined.

3 Who needs dopplerography?

Dopplerography is indicated if the patient is often haunted by headaches, fainting and dizziness, worried about tinnitus, loss of balance, memory and vision impairment.

In case of high or low blood pressure, with osteochondrosis this type of study is also prescribed.

Inveterate smokers, patients with diabetes mellitus and people who have had a stroke, should regularly monitor the condition of the vessels with ultrasound dopplerography, because this type of research will help to detect pathology before the onset of disturbing symptoms.

The study is also conducted after operations on the brain or spinal cord and during preparation for such surgical interventions. It is recommended to pass at least once a year dopplerography to the elderly.

For the most complete picture, ultrasound of vessels can be carried out in different modes. In the two-dimensional mode, only those vessels that are outside the skull are evaluated: the carotid arteries, the jugular vein, the vertebral arteries. Their patency, diameter and condition of their walls, as well as tissues surrounding them are checked.

In duplex scanning, both cervical vessels and those located in the cranial cavity are examined. Ultrasound of the vessels of the brain is called transcranial. In this case, the sensor is applied either to closed eyelids, or in the area of ​​the temporal bone, or the procedure is carried out through the back of the head - in the place where the head and neck are connected.

A special gel is applied to the test areas, ensuring the best contact of the sensor with the skin. The study of vessels on the neck is called extracranial. Duplex scanning provides the most complete information about the flow velocity in the vessels, their patency, and the thickness of their walls. If turbulent blood flow is detected where it should not be, since there are no branches in this place, it signals the presence of obstacles to the blood flow.

4 Contraindications to dopplerography

Dopplerography is considered, as, strictly speaking, ultrasound, informative, but absolutely safe method, and contraindications, including the age of the patient, not having. The procedure of ultrasonic dopplerography is completely painless and takes no more than 20-40 minutes. This study can not be conducted except when the patient's condition does not allow him to take a recumbent position.

No special preparation for the procedure is required: no diets, no medications, no other lifestyle changes. Perhaps, the doctor will recommend on the day of the examination not to eat foods that affect the tone of the vessels: coffee, tea, alcohol and energy drinks, and do not smoke. And during the procedure, the only thing that can be needed is to remove ornaments from the neck.

Obstacles to the study may be anomalies of the cervical spine and a poor expression of "ultrasound windows" on the temporal and occipital parts of the skull.

According to the results of Doppler, the following pathologies can be detected: congenital anomalies of vascular arrangements and branches, atherosclerosis, aneurysms, thrombosis, varicose veins, angiopathy, vasculitis, vascular wall compression.