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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Functional Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound for Monitoring Cerebral Blood Flow
Published on: March 15, 2021
Transcranial Doppler series part IV: case studies
Heather A Nicoletto1, Marilyn H Burkman
1Neurodiagnostic Laboratory, Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Insights
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a challenging ultrasound technique. Understanding cerebral hemodynamics is crucial for interpreting TCD studies, aiding in diagnosing conditions like vasospasm and sickle cell vasculopathy.
Area of Science:
- Neurosonology
- Cerebrovascular Ultrasound
- Hemodynamic Assessment
Background:
- Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is technically demanding.
- Proficiency in cerebral hemodynamics is essential for accurate TCD interpretation.
Observation:
- Common TCD applications include evaluating vasospasm post-subarachnoid hemorrhage and sickle cell vasculopathy.
- TCD also detects vessel stenosis, occlusion, collateral flow, arteriovenous malformations, and confirms cerebral circulatory arrest.
Findings:
- Case studies illustrate key hemodynamic parameters for TCD interpretation.
- The study emphasizes the practical application of hemodynamic principles in TCD.
Implications:
- Improved understanding of TCD hemodynamics can enhance diagnostic accuracy.
- This knowledge is vital for neurologists and sonographers managing cerebrovascular diseases.
- Accurate TCD interpretation facilitates timely and appropriate patient management.
Abstract:
Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is considered one of the most difficult ultrasound studies to perform. Knowledge of cerebral hemodynamics is essential to the interpretation of the TCD study. The most common uses for TCD are the evaluation for vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage and for sickle cell vasculopathy. Other uses are the detection of vessel narrowing or occlusion, collateral flow secondary to internal carotid artery occlusion, arteriovenous malformations, and to confirm cerebral circulatory arrest. Case studies are presented to demonstrate the hemodynamic parameters that are used to interpret the TCD study.
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