DuplexDoppler

DuoplexDoppler is a medical imaging technique that combines two-dimensional B-mode ultrasonography with Doppler evaluation to assess both the anatomy and the hemodynamics of blood vessels. It provides real-time visualization of vessels and surrounding tissues, along with information about blood flow velocity and direction.

During the examination, a transducer emits high-frequency sound waves. B-mode imaging yields grayscale pictures of vessel walls and surrounding structures, while Doppler analysis measures the Doppler frequency shift produced by moving blood cells. Color Doppler overlays flow direction and relative velocity on the B-mode image, and spectral Doppler yields velocity waveforms that can be quantified to derive indices such as peak systolic velocity and resistive index.

Common clinical applications include assessment of carotid artery stenosis, peripheral arterial disease, venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, and aneurysms, as well as graft patency evaluation. It is also used to guide interventional procedures and monitor treatment response. DuplexDoppler is often the first-line modality for vascular imaging due to its safety, accessibility, and absence of ionizing radiation.

Limitations include operator dependence, patient factors such as obesity or edema that degrade image quality, calcifications causing acoustic shadowing, and difficulty assessing very deep or small vessels. The accuracy depends on appropriate transducer selection and angles for Doppler measurements, and findings may require corroboration with other imaging modalities when necessary.