Doppler Ultrasound: Information & Doctors for Doppler Ultrasound

A Doppler ultrasound is a type of ultrasound examination. Doppler ultrasound is specifically used to examine blood vessels, namely arteries and veins. It can, for example, monitor the direction of blood flow. Doppler/duplex sonography can be used, among other things, to detect narrowing of blood vessels, such as those in the neck.

If a vein or other blood vessel is narrowed, the direction and speed of blood flow change. This can be visualized in various ways and interpreted by the doctor. Acoustic signals are possible, as is a color-coded display on the ultrasound image. 

These methods can also

• the vessel diameter,
• the course of the blood vessels, and
• deposits

.

Doppler ultrasound is primarily used for examining veins and diagnosing conditions in other blood vessels. For example, this method is used to examine the aorta or carotid artery in greater detail.

Duplex sonography is therefore suitable for the reliable diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases. This allows for the detection of

• aneurysms,
• possible narrowings, or 
• changes in the vessel walls 

be addressed safely and painlessly. This method can even render more complex imaging procedures, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography, unnecessary.

Doppler ultrasound is also used during pregnancy. Here, it is primarily used to monitor blood flow velocity in the umbilical cord. Normally, the examination is not performed before the 20th week of pregnancy. It may be indicated earlier only in justified individual cases.

Other areas of application include obstetrics and cardiology.

Doppler ultrasound is used in the following areas:

• Venous examinations in phlebology
• Artery examinations
• Obstetrics
• Pregnancy
• Cardiology

Duplex/Doppler ultrasound is a simple ultrasound examination. The doctor first applies a gel to the area to be examined. The gel helps the ultrasound transducer glide more easily over the skin. Additionally, air between the transducer and the skin would reflect the sound waves.

The doctor then moves the transducer over the relevant area of skin. The internal structures in the body reflect the sound waves, which are then received again by the transducer. The results are displayed on a monitor. The device may also emit sounds.

Based on the image and sound, the doctor forms an impression of the vessels being examined.

Not every doctor who performs a standard ultrasound examination also offers Doppler ultrasound to their patients. Doppler ultrasound requires different equipment than a conventional ultrasound exam. This equipment is not available in every doctor’s office. If the necessary equipment is not available, the doctor may refer the patient to a specialist.

If there is a medical indication—such as suspected vascular narrowing—statutory health insurance covers the costs. However, if it is a preventive screening requested by the patient, it is considered an “individual health service” (IGeL). In this case, the patient must cover the costs themselves.

A Doppler/duplex ultrasound can cost several hundred euros.

Doppler sonography is a non-invasive method for examining blood vessels. This examination is painless for the patient and does not differ significantly from a standard ultrasound examination.

Doppler sonography can be performed today using nearly all standard ultrasound machines.