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Neck

Carotid duplex ultrasound

Imaging the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain.

Carotid duplex combines ultrasound images of the arteries in the neck with Doppler blood-flow measurements. The clinician reviews both to assess the vessels and flow patterns.

What it looks for

  • Plaque or thickening along the artery wall
  • Narrowing significant enough to change how fast blood moves
  • The direction of flow in the neck and vertebral arteries
  • A baseline that future studies can be compared against

Step by step

What to expect.

View the exam animation or select a stage to learn more.

SKINSAMPLE GATECAROTID ARTERYVELOCITY OVER TIME

Interactive walkthrough

Step 1 of 4

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Exam information

Common questions.

Additional information about the procedure and your visit.

How is the scan performed?

The sonographer applies gel and moves a handheld ultrasound transducer over the skin to obtain images and blood-flow measurements.

What do the screen colors show?

The color display represents blood-flow direction relative to the transducer. The clinician interprets it together with the images and Doppler measurements.

How will I receive my results?

A clinician reviews the images and measurements to prepare a report. The practice will publish its results and report-delivery process before appointments become available.

Getting ready

Before you come in.

Often no special preparation. An open-neck shirt may be more comfortable.

Instructions sent with your appointment take priority over anything on this page, even where the two differ.

Afterwards

When it is over.

The gel is wiped off, and most patients go straight back to their usual activities with no recovery time and no restrictions.

The practice will publish who interprets the study and how results are shared after its reporting workflow is approved.

Next study

Venous duplex

Patient guideVenous duplex