Colour Doppler

Color Doppler ultrasound is an imaging technique which is used to provide visualization of the blood flow in the arteries and the veins. With the advent of Medical Technology, CT and MRI angiography has emerged as the preferred diagnostic modality for study of blood vessels. In angiography iodine based contrast agent is used which is harmful for kidneys. In comparison a colour doppler study is perfectly safe even for pregnant women as there is no radiation involved and safe for patients of kidney disease as there is no iodine involved.

Colour Doppler is of great use in pregnancy for seeing the position of the umbilical cord, for studying the valves and coronary arteries through 2-D Echocardiography, Renal artery by doing Renal Colour Doppler, Arteries and Veins of the hands and legs to see any blockages in them. Carotid artery for seeing the blockages in the blood going to the brain. The colour doppler study is not only harmless to the body but also a cost effective way of diagnosing the diseases of the blood vessels.

Types of Colour Doppler

At our centres we routinely perform the following tests on the colour doppler or ultrasound machine:

Find out the blood clots and blocked blood vessels in almost any part of the body

Evaluate leg pain that may be caused by a condition caused by atherosclerosis of the lower extremities

Evaluate blood flow after a stroke

Evaluation of a stroke can be done through a technique called transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound

Evaluate abnormal veins a variety of ultrasound scans for various organs.

Who Should Get a Doppler Done

In case your doctor suspects narroawing of carotid arteries then he might ask for a carotid doppler.

In case doctors suspects of blockage in limbs then he may order a vascular colour doppler.

In case doctors suspects of blood clots in legs then he may order a venous colour doppler.

Patients with erectile dysfunction may need a penile doppler to evaluate need for penile implant.

A gynaecologist would order a pregnancy doppler to see the placental blood flow.

The Cost of Colour Doppler scan varies with the kind of doppler. Cost would range between INR 2500 to 7000 depending upon the study.

Different Types of Colour Doppler

Carotid Color Doppler - test is used to detect narrowing of the arteries in the neck (the carotid arteries) that supply blood to the brain. The test is known is CIMT - Carotid Intima Mean Thickness. This test is extremely useful in early detection and prevention of future stroke.

Vascular Color Doppler - Several Medical conditions causes the arteries and veins to become narrow. This reduces the blood supply to different body parts. Arterial and Venous Colour Doppler studies are done mostly for the upper and lower limbs to determine the blockages in the vessels and determine the extent of narrowing of these vessels

Venous Color Doppler at EHL Diagnostic Centre in Gurgaon - venous ultrasound exam is to search for blood clots, especially in the veins of the leg. This condition is often referred to as deep vein thrombosis or DVT.

Transcranial Doppler for children - A transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound evaluates both the direction and velocity of the blood flow in the major cerebral arteries of the brain.

Penile Colour Doppler - Patients who suffer from erectile dysfunction or impotency can benefit from this study where the blood flow in the penis is studied using Colour Doppler.