Transcranial Doppler Machine Update

Graham Venables, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Director Neurosciences, Royal Hallamshire Hospital Shefffield has provided fedback on the Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Machine, along with the Specialist Registrar and the Specialist Nurse.

Graham Venables writes:-

"Neurocare have helped the Neurology Department by providing a state of the art imaging machine (Transcranial Doppler ultrasound imaging) that allows visualisation of blood flow in the arteries of the brain.

This tells us immediately, without the patient feeling any discomfort, whether the major arteries are blocked or narrowed and can be used to help select those who might benefit from the use of clot dissolving drugs and whether the drug has been successful in clearing the blocked artery and restoring blood supply to the brain.

It is also vital in determining the cause of stroke in younger patients who have abnormal hearts and is used to monitor people who are having corrective surgery for arterial narrowing (carotid endarterectomy).

Finally it makes certain forms of brain surgery safer in that it can be used to identify people who might be at risk of stroke when they operated in certain positions for example sitting up."

The Specialist Registrar writes:-

"The original machine we had for research has been used extensively for diagnosing young stroke in the young heart brain clinics, and continued until recently in that role, we have a unique service in Sheffield at present in the way the outcomes from these studies are used to make patient decisions. We have also used the original machine extensively in research and it is continuing to be used to ensure increasing safety for patients in carotid stenting and was used today for research purposes in the cath lab."

The Specialist Nurse writes:-

"The main use at present for the Transcranial Doppler machine (TCD) is to detect a "short cut" in the heart that can connect the right side of the heart (The venous system) to the left side of the heart (the arterial system). This is significant for young stroke patients where no other cause for their stroke can be found. Dr Lindert and I have a weekly clinic where patients from all over the N. Trent region are referred. Young Stroke patients on the ward also often receive this service."

Special thanks go to the Derbyshire Charity Clay Shoot who provided a grant to fund this amazing piece of equipment.