How I use Transcranial Doppler

Excerpt

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a bedside, low-cost, and non-invasive technique able to evaluate cerebral hemodynamics [1]; the implementation of transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) aids in evaluating the brain anatomy and intracranial lesions [2], real-time monitoring of “basic” (flow velocity (FV) and pulsatility index (PI)) as well as “advanced” TCD-derived parameters (Table 1; Fig. 1). In practice, we use a 2-MHz probe, and most information is obtained by insonating the middle cerebral artery through the temporal window; other windows include the transorbital, occipital, and submandibular windows. TCCD has the advantage to provide a direct visualization of the cerebral anatomy vessels and allow angle correction to assess FV [2]. TCD/TCCD practice is part of the standard training in our institution, and examinations are routinely performed by the medical staff.

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