Colour Doppler
The colour doppler test is a diagnostic technique that creates an image from sound waves. It provides information about the speed, movement and direction of blood flow. This test to check for blockages and clots in your blood vessels and also to check for reduced blood flow mainly in the fetomaternal circulation. This is not possible with conventional ultrasonography as it fails to show blood flow.
In the colour doppler test, no dye is injected into your body. Thus, making this a safe and convenient test.
The colour doppler test is safe for the baby when used by a trained professional .
Until now, no injurious effects of the doppler test have been found on the baby.
This is a test performed to see narrowing / blockage of the vessels or presence of a clot and for evaluation of varices
This is generally performed in patients with un-contolled hypertension to look for renal artery stenosis as a possible cause.The renal arteries are assessed for sites of narrowing and the velocities and resistance indices measured.
This test is performed to assess the feasibility of a fistula creation before a AV fistula surgery for patients on dialysis. It also helps to decide the best site for a successful fistula creation. The post fistula assessment doppler assesses the maturity of a fistula , flow within a fistula and time to clinical use.
Doppler done in pregnant women to assess the blood flow in the feto-maternal circulation , maternal hypertensive / pre-eclampsia changes and possible changes / compromise in the fetal circulation as a consequence to reduced blood flow.
Doppler assessment of the thyroid gland helps in assessing the blood flow in the thyroid gland to look for signs of diffuse thyroid diseases like thyroiditis and focal lesions to look for signs of malignancy.
This doppler is performed to look for assessment of varicocele ( Dilated veins ) in the scrotum primarily in cases of scrotal pain and infertility.
It is also done in young patients with scrotal pain which is an emergency condition to rule out tortion.Also indicated in scrotal masses to look for signs of infection / malignancy.
Generally majority of doppler tests can be done without preparation.
Fasting and bowel preparation is required for – Renal doppler
Laxatives taken the previous night maybe helpful for renal doppler test
| Test timing | Patient Preparation | Test duration | Common Indications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VENOUS LOWER / UPPER LIMB | Anytime during the day, Prior appointment mandatory | No Fasting, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 45 mins to 1 hr per test, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Rule out DVT, Swelling limbs, Varicosity assessment |
| ARTERIAL LOWER / UPPER LIMB | Anytime during the day, Prior appointment mandatory | No Fasting, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 45 mins to 1 hr per test, Wait time of 30mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for arterial stenosis, Vascular malformation |
| CAROTID DOPPLER | Anytime during the day, Prior appointment mandatory | No Fasting, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 45 mins to 1 hr per test, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Look for vascular stenosis, Venous abnormality |
| RENAL DOPPLER | Only morning time, Prior appointment mandatory | Overnight fasting preferred, Bowel preparation needed, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 45 mins to 1 hr per test, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Suspected Renovascular hypertension |
| OBSTETRIC DOPPLER | Anytime during the day | No fasting, A good meal before the test, One glass of water 20mins before, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 20 mins to 30 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Fetal and maternal circulatory assessment, Look for signs of fetal growth restriction |
| ABDOMINAL DOPPLER | Only morning time, Prior appointment mandatory | Overnight fasting preferred, Old Reports to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 20 mins to 40 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Portal venous hypertension, Hepatic vascularity assessment |
| PELVIC DOPPLER | Anytime during the day, Prior appointment mandatory | No fasting, Old Reports & Xray to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 20 mins to 30 mins, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Any pelvic mass, Venous congestion |
| AV FISTULA DOPPLER | Anytime during the day, Prior appointment mandatory | No fasting, Old Reports & Xray to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 45 mins to 1 hr, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Preopeative assessment and marking, Postoperative assessment |
| SCROTUM DOPPLER | Anytime during the day, Prior appointment mandatory | No fasting, Old Reports & Xray to be carried, Comfortable clothing | 45 mins to 1 hr, Wait time of 30 mins to 1 hr (Also depends on patient load) | Rule out varicocele, Rule out tortion, Infertility |
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