Carotid duplex ultrasound, or CUS, is an ultrasound-based, safe, non-invasive means of looking at and listening to flow in the large arteries, carotid and vertebral, in the neck. We look for anything abnormal that may be in the vessels or surrounding them and we also listen to the blood flowing through the vessels.
Reasons your provider may order a CUS for you:
- Intracranial artery stenosis
- Carotid stenosis
- Recent Stroke or TIA
- Brain emboli
- Dizzy/vertebrobasilar insufficiency
What you should know:
- CUS is an ultrasound-based diagnostic
- Ultrasound is not a form of ionizing radiation like XRays or CT scans
- CUS looks at tissue and listens to blood flow in the neck
- CUS is completely noninvasive
Where is CUS performed?
Your CUS will be performed in the University Clinical Health Neurology Clinic, 1331 Union Avenue, Suite 1145 Memphis, TN 38104. Clinic Phone: 901-866-8811
How long will it take?
Anywhere from 30-60 minutes depending on the studies ordered. We can take breaks as needed. If your doctor also ordered a TCD that will also take some time and you can get more information on that here.
What should I expect?
Arrive at the University Clinic Health clinic 15 minutes before your scheduled time so you can use the restroom and get comfortable before your procedure. You will be brought to the procedure room and made comfortable on an examination table. We try to keep still and quiet for the examination, as the device can pick up our movements and sounds, but we can easily take breaks as needed since it is difficult to lie still and quiet for long periods of time. Ultrasound gel is used for this study, and it gets on our skin and hair, but is easily washable and nontoxic. The sonographer (e.g., person doing the test) will hold the plastic probe on your neck, with no need to push hard. Once the study is done, the sonographer will help you wipe up the ultrasound gel and then you can go home. Your results will be made available to you as soon as possible.
- Avoid wearing jewelry around your neck
- You may wish to wear a tshirt or something that stretches at the neck so we can avoid getting gel on your clothing