Transcranial Doppler Series Part III: Interpretation

Abstract

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a quick, non-invasive, and inexpensive way to evaluate the blood flow in the basal cerebral arteries. TCD is most commonly used to evaluate for vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and for vasculopathy in children with sickle cell anemia. It may also be used to evaluate intracranial vessel narrowing and occlusion; collateral flow due to extracranial vessel occlusion, arteriovenous malformations, and cavernous carotid fistulas; and to help confirm cerebral circulatory arrest. Systolic upstroke, velocity, pulsatility index, and direction of flow aid in the interpretation of TCD.