Vascular ultrasound provides pictures of the body’s veins and arteries. A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of a vascular ultrasound examination.
Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that measures and evaluates the direction and speed of blood cells as it flows through blood vessels in the body’s major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck. The movement of blood cells causes a change in pitch of the reflected sound waves (called the Doppler effect). A pulse-like sound that changes in pitch as the blood flow is monitored and measured may be heard during the examination.
Ultrasound is a useful way of evaluating the body’s circulatory system.
Vascular ultrasound is performed to:
- help monitor the blood flow to organs and tissues throughout the body
- locate and identify blockages (stenosis) and abnormalities like plaque or emboli and help plan for their effective treatment
- detect blood clots (deep venous thrombosis DVT) in the legs or arms
- determine whether a patient is a good candidate for a procedure such as angioplasty
- evaluate the success of procedures that graft or bypass blood vessels
- determine if there is an enlarged artery (aneurysm)
- determine the source and severity of varicose veins
Doppler ultrasound images can help to see and evaluate:
- blockages to blood flow (such as clots)
- narrowing of vessels (which may be caused by plaque)
- tumors and congenital malformation
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is venous doppler ultrasound?
It is an ultrasound exam that looks at the veins in your arms or legs to determine if there is a blood clot.
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What is an arterial doppler ultrasound?
It is an ultrasound exam that looks at the arteries in your arms or legs to make sure there is not a blockage.
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What is the difference between arteries and veins and why don't you look at them both during the same examination?
Veins and arteries sit next to each other within your body. Arteries have muscles in their walls to pump blood through them. Veins do not have muscles in their walls. They depend on the surrounding muscles in the body, such as leg or arm muscles, to circulate the blood. Therefore, the vein testing to evaluate healthy circulation is performed differently for veins and arteries.
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What is a renal duplex exam?
This is an ultrasound exam that looks at your kidneys and your bladder, as well as your arteries that supply blood to the kidneys to look for a blockage.
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What is a doppler?
A Doppler ultrasound test uses reflected sound waves to evaluate blood as it flows through a blood vessel. It helps doctors evaluate blood flow through the major arteries and veins of the arms, legs, and neck. It can show blocked or reduced blood flow through narrowing in the major arteries of the neck that could cause a stroke. It also can reveal blood clots in leg veins (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) that could break loose and block blood flow to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
During Doppler ultrasound, a handheld instrument (transducer) is passed lightly over the skin above a blood vessel. The transducer sends and receives sound waves that are amplified through a microphone. The sound waves bounce off solid objects, including blood cells. The movement of blood cells causes a change in pitch of the reflected sound waves (called the Doppler effect). If there is no blood flow, the pitch does not change. Information from the reflected sound waves can be processed by a computer to provide graphs or pictures that represent the flow of blood through the blood vessels. These graphs or pictures can be saved for future review or evaluation
Neil A. Ramquist, MD
Diagnostic Radiologist
- BS, MD, University of California at Davis
- Chief resident in radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine
- Member, American College of Radiology
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of Wisconsin
Expertise in mammography, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1981
Donald G. Detweiler, MD
Diagnostic Radiologist
- President, Raleigh Radiology Associates
- Medical Director, Raleigh Radiology Blue Ridge, Cary and Breast Center
- Chairman, Rex Classic - 2000
- President, Medical Staff Rex Hospital - 1995
- BS, Duke University
- MD, Emory University
- Fellow and resident in diagnostic radiology, University of North Carolina Medical Center
- Native of Illinois
Expertise in mammography, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1982
W. Kent Davis, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Medical Director, Raleigh Radiology Cedarhurst, Clayton, Wake Forest, and Brier Creek
- BS, Duke University
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Internship in internal medicine, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore
- Resident in radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifications in Neuroradiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Member, American Society of Neuroradiology
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in head, neck, and spine imaging; breast imaging and breast intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1990
Andrew B. Weber, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- BS, University of Pennsylvania
- MD, Temple University Medical School
- Internship in surgery, York Hospital
- Chief resident, Duke University Medical Center
- Former Chief, Rex Hospital Radiology
- 2009 Chairman, Rex Hospital Open
- Rex Corporate Counsel
- Native of Pennsylvania
Expertise in vascular/interventional radiology and MR angiography
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1992
Mark H. Knelson, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- BS, MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Rotating internship, Case Western Reserve University Hospitals of Cleveland
- Chief resident, Case Western Reserve University Hospitals of Cleveland
- Fellowship, vascular and interventional radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifications in Vascular and Interventional Radiology awarded
- American Board of Radiology Assistant professor of radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Society of Interventional Radiology, American College of Radiology
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in diagnostic angiography and interventional radiology, nuclear cardiology, and spine intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1993
Julia K. Taber, MD
Women’s Imaging Radiologist
- Chief of Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, Brown University
- MD, Duke University Medical School
- Internship in internal medicine, New York Hospital
- Resident in diagnostic radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in mammography and pediatric radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Society of Breast Imaging
- Member, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
- Women’s Imaging Radiologist
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, and pediatric radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1993
Gregory C. Hinn, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- Head of Musculoskeletal Imaging at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MD, Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University
- Resident in radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Fellowship in diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Musculoskeletal radiologist for the North Carolina State University Athletic Department.
- Raised in North Carolina
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging with bone and joint intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1995
Gregory A. Bortoff, MD, PhD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Computed Tomography (CT) at Rex Hospital
- BS, Cornell University
- MD, PhD, State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse
- Resident in radiology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society
- Native of New York
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, ultrasound, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1999
Jerry L. Watson, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- BS with honors, Johns Hopkins University
- MD, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chief of Radiology, 67th Combat Support Hospital, United States Army, Germany 1996–1998
- Native of Georgia
Expertise in abdominal imaging, including MRI, MRA, ultrasound, breast intervention, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1999
Cynthia S. Payne, MD
Vascular and Interventional & Neuroradiologist
- MD, Medical College of Ohio
- Internship, Mount Auburn Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Resident, neurology and radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowships in molecular neurogenetics, vascular/interventional radiology and neuroradiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifications in Neuroradiology, Vascular and
- Interventional Radiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Director of neuro-interventional radiology, Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in vascular and interventional radiology, diagnostic, and interventional neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2001
Tracey E. O’Connell, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA, University of Colorado at Boulder
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of California
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging with bone and joint intervention and abdominal imaging including MRI, MRA, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2001
Jennifer S. Van Vickle, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Ultrasound at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of Chicago, M.Div and Th.M, Duke University
- MD, Duke University Medical Center
- Internship in internal medicine, Duke University Medical Center
- Resident in diagnostic radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging and mammography, Duke University Medical Center
- Native of Missouri
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, abdominal and pelvic imaging, including CT, ultrasound, and MRI
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2002
Gintaras E. Degesys, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA with high honors, Kenyon College
- MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Internship and chief resident, Northwestern University
- Fellowship in interventional and abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifi cations in Vascular and Interventional Radiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Native of Ohio
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging, breast intervention, and abdominal imaging and intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2002
Laura O. Thomas, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- Head of Rex Breast Care Center at Rex Hospital
- Radiologist Recruiter
- BA, Princeton University
- MD, Duke University Medical School
- Internship in internal medicine, UNC Hospitals
- Chief resident, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in women’s and abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Native of Missouri
Expertise in breast imaging, breast intervention, abdominal imaging, oncologic imaging, and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2003
John G. “Jay” Alley, Jr, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Vice Chief of Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Program, Columbia University, New York
- MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Co-chief resident in diagnostic radiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Native of North Carolina
Expertise in neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2004
Todd J. Roth, MD
Abdominal Imaging Radiologist
- BS, University of Texas, Austin
- MD, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio
- Residency, Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem
- Fellowship in abdominal imaging, Baptist Medical Center, Wake Forest University
- Native of Kansas
Expertise in abdominal and pelvic MRI, MRA, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2004
Steven R. Carter, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BS, University of Virginia
- MS, Medical College of Virginia
- MD, Medical College of Virginia
- Internship in internal medicine, MCV
- Chief resident, diagnostic radiology, Emory University
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging, Emory University
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal radiologist for the Carolina Hurricanes
- Native of Richmond, Virginia
Expertise in musculoskeletal radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2005
Satish Mathan, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- Head of Interventional and Vascular Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, University of California at Santa Barbara
- MD, Medical College of Wisconsin
- Internship, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA
- Chief resident, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, NC
- Fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology, University of North Carolina Hospitals
- Member, Society of Interventional Radiology, American College of Radiology
- Native of Raleigh, North Carolina
Expertise in interventional radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2005
Andrew G. Moran, MD
Nuclear Medicine Radiologist
- Head of Nuclear Medicine Radiology at Rex Hospital
- BS, Idaho State University
- MD, Utah School of Medicine
- Residency, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowships in body imaging and nuclear radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Society of Nuclear Medicine
- Native of California
Expertise in abdominal imaging, oncologic imaging, nuclear medicine and PET/CT
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2006
Joshua B. Mitchell, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA, University of Virginia
- MD, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
- Internship, Medical University of South Carolina
- Chief resident, Medical University of South Carolina
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, University of Florida
- Member, American College of Radiology, South Carolina
- Radiological Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of Chattanooga, Tennessee
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2007
Jeffrey Browne, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BS, Boston College
- MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
- Internship, St. Raphael’s Hospital
- Residency, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America and American Roetgen Ray Society.
- Native of Connecticut
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
Michael C. Hollingshead, MD
Neuroradiologist
- Head of Neuroradiology at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Internship, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Residency, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in neuroradiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Certificate of added Qualifications in Neuroradiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Member, American Society of Neuroradiology, American College of Radiology,Radiological Society of North America
- Native of Massachusetts
Expertise in neuroradiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
Jason R. Harris, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- BS, Brigham Young University
- MD, Harvard Medical School
- Internship, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts
- Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, American College of Radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology
- Native of California
Expertise in vascular and interventional and musculoskeletal radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
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