It is not every day that you expect to get tested for an illness without expecting to undergo some pain or discomfort right? Well, a transcranial doppler (TCD) ultrasound is one of the few test equipment that you do not need to worry about pain when testing. This special equipment is used to diagnose medical conditions that influence blood flow in someone’s brain by measuring the echoes of ultrasound waves moving through one’s cranium. This ultrasound equipment makes it possible to detect various medical conditions including narrowed blood vessel segments, vasospasm and emboli. One question a lot of people ask being tested is whether it is safe to test using the transcranial Doppler ultrasound and whether there exist any aftereffects. Well, thanks to technological advancement, testing using a the device is a lot safer and easier compared to other ways of testing. Another benefit of technological advancement is that this testing equipment has been made portable. Clinicians can easily travel to patients’ locations and test them.

Medical conditions monitored using the device

If you’re considering buying a transcranial Doppler ultrasound, you will be able to monitor medical ailments such as:
Vasospasm: This is a medical condition in which a segment of blood arteries constrict because of the connection of blood vessels. When constriction occurs, blood flow is usually reduced and tissue death starts to occur.
Acute ischemic stroke: This particular medical condition occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain is inhibited by a blood clot. This type of stoke is quite common, particularly among chubby people.
Stenosis: This medical condition involves the blockage of a segment of arteries in the brain due to the build-up and hardening of fatty deposits.

How does the procedure take place

Many people make the mistake of assuming that when testing, they’ll be forced to wear some uncomfortable hospital gown. If it is your first time being tested using a it, then you will be pleased to know that you don’t need to undergo any special preparation. You only need to ensure that your test is conducted by a certified technologist and interpreted by an expert radiologist. When undergoing this test, you might choose to either sit or lie down. You will then be smeared with a tiny amount of gel either above your cheekbone, on the back of your neck or over your eyelid. The water-soluble gel smeared on you won’t damage your skin in any way and is only applied on areas where blood vessels that deliver blood to the brain are located.
After being smeared with some gel, a transducer will be held in place on the smeared part of your body. The main function of the transducer is to transmit high-frequency sound waves via the brain and record the returning blood flow data. In the readings on the display screen, the ultrasound signal will be converted into colour pictures and graphs. The test procedure is usually quite simple and the only requirement is that you maintain silence and not move your head much. The whole procedure often takes less than an hour and the experience is not as uncomfortable as most people assume.

Conclusion

This device is quite a useful medical equipment for identifying health-related issues that affect the brain. For a long time, however, people have had misconceptions about the testing procedure involving this equipment. To be on the safe side, it is wise for anyone with a brain-related medical condition to consult a professional who is skilled in using this equipment.