Transcranial Colour Doppler Ultrasonography

Abstract

Transcranial colour Doppler ultrasonography (TCCD), being a non-invasive method is an invaluable source of information on cerebral haemodynamics. It is the blood flow disturbances that often lead to irreversible ischemic lesions, which can then be detected a posteriori with various imaging techniques. From a therapy point of view, diagnosis after infarction has obvious limitations. Hence, the importance of transcranial colour Doppler ultrasonography, which can be used at the bedside and even in restless patients. The imaging of intracranial structures, however, is inferior to that of computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Nonetheless, TCCD ultrasonography is becoming a widely accepted tool in the diagnosis of acute and chronic ischemic stroke and cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid haemorrhage. Rapid detection of critical impairment of cerebral blood flow in a neurosurgical patient could guide further management. Large and medium size arteriovenous malformations can also be evaluated with this method. Future developments of TCCD ultrasonography would make the method less operator-dependent and more reliable in obtaining information on cerebral circulation.