Colour Doppler

A duplex ultrasound is a test to see how blood moves through your arteries and veins. The test combines traditional ultrasound with Doppler ultrasonography. Regular Ultrasound uses sound waves that are bounce off from blood vessels to create pictures. Doppler looks at how sound waves are reflected off from moving objects, such as blood.

There are different types of duplex ultrasound exams. Some include:

• Arterial and venous duplex ultrasound of the abdomen examines blood vessels and blood flow in the abdominal area.
• Carotid duplex ultrasound looks at the carotid artery in the neck.
• Duplex ultrasound of the extremities looks at the arms or legs.
• Renal duplex ultrasound examines the kidneys.

Why It Is Done

• Detect blood clots and blocked or narrowed blood vessels in almost any part of the body, especially in the neck, arms, and legs.
• Evaluate abnormal veins causing varicose veins or other problems.
• Find out the amount of blood flow to a transplanted kidney or liver.
• Monitor the flow of blood following blood vessel surgery.