Ultrasound of the Neck – assessment of the carotid arteries in the neck
We kindly ask that all bookings and payments are to be done online below by selecting your preferred location. You need to have a referral letter from a doctor with an Irish Medical Council (IMC) or Medical Council Registration (MCRN) number before making a booking. Please send your referral in to us prior to making your appointment. You can email us a scanned copy or clear photograph of the referral to info@theultrasoundsuite.ie. Once the email has been sent you can proceed to make your online booking.
Alternatively, if your doctor has already sent us a copy of your referral via Healthlink or Email, we will make contact with you to arrange an appointment.
PRICE: €150
A Carotid Doppler ultrasound scan serves to image the arteries in the patient’s neck to assess whether they are at risk for stenosis of these vessels or a stroke. The most common reason for referral for this procedure is when a bruit is heard by the patient’s doctor with a stethescope. This examination is a quick, non-invasive way of confirming or excluding blockage of the arteries or build-up of plaque which may pose a future threat to the patient.
This scan examines
- Bilateral common carotid arteries
- Bilateral carotid arteries
- Bilateral internal arteries
- Bilateral external carotid arteries
- Bilateral vertebral arteries
- Bilateral subclavian arteries (if requested)
Typical requests include
- Carotid bruit
- Query transient ischemic attack
- Loss of sight
- Query stenosis
How to prepare for a carotid ultrasound
You will need a referral letter from a GP with an Irish Medical Council (IMC) number. The referral letter needs to be dated within 6 months of the scan being carried out.
What to expect from a carotid ultrasound?
Ultrasound gel is placed on the patient’s neck and the arteries are scanned with an ultrasound probe. Multiple images of these arteries are taken for analysis by a consultant radiologist. We aim to have the report delivered to your GP within 2 business days following your scan.
How long does a carotid Doppler ultrasound examination last?
The examination lasts for about 30 minutes.