Ultrasound
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that uses sonography, or high-frequency sound waves, to create a visualization of structures inside your body. Ultrasound can be used to detect, diagnose, and treat a variety of health conditions, even before symptoms are seen.
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Venous ultrasound is used to visualize your blood vessels, and is often used to both diagnose and treat vascular disease. It can be used during certain procedures to ensure proper technique and effectiveness of treatments.
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A Doppler ultrasound, also called color Doppler ultrasonography, is a specialized ultrasound technique that gives an accurate view of blood flow through veins and arteries.
How is ultrasound used to diagnose and treat vascular disease?
Venous and Doppler ultrasound studies can provide information regarding your vascular health by:
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Early detection of vascular problems
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Determining the underlying causes of symptoms
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Diagnosing location of blockage in arteries and vessels
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Diagnosing cause of dialysis catheter blockage
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Mapping out veins and vessels before and during vascular surgery
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Mapping out veins and vessels for hemodialysis access
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Guiding surgeons during vascular surgery and minimally invasive procedures
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Guiding catheters or needles during procedures
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Using information collected during ultrasound testing, providers are able to diagnose a number of vascular conditions.
What conditions can be diagnosed or treated using ultrasound?
A variety of vascular conditions can be effectively diagnosed and treated using venous and other forms of ultrasound. These include:
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Carotid artery disease
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Peripheral vascular disease
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Peripheral artery disease
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Chronic venous insufficiency
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Varicose, spider, and reticular veins
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm
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Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries
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Deep vein thrombosis, or other blood clots
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Blocked arteries, veins, or lymph vessels
Ultrasound can help to diagnose and monitor the progress of these conditions, helping to guide treatment plans and establish the need for invasive or noninvasive treatments.
What conditions can be diagnosed or treated using ultrasound?
This test is painless and risk-free, and is done in the comfort of your provider’s office by highly trained technicians. Most ultrasound testing takes 10 minutes or less.
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Your results are read by your provider, and may be available the same day. In some cases, you may be asked to return at a later time to discuss your results. In addition to ultrasound testing, accurate diagnosis may involve lab testing using the fully accredited lab.