Carotid Ultrasound
A painless ultrasound that examines the main arteries in your neck to check for plaque buildup and stroke risk.
Carotid duplex ultrasound assesses the carotid and vertebral arteries for plaque, stenosis, and intima-media thickness — the primary non-invasive investigation for stroke risk evaluation and atherosclerosis screening. The examination is painless, radiation-free, and takes 20–30 minutes.
Book This Evaluation
Carotid ultrasound painlessly visualizes the neck arteries to detect plaque buildup and assess the risk of stroke.
What It Detects
- Intima-media thickness (IMT) — measures arterial wall layers as a marker of early atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerotic plaque — identifies focal wall thickening exceeding 1.5 mm
- Stenosis severity — grades narrowing as mild (<50%), moderate (50–69%), or severe (70–99%)
- Vertebral artery flow — detects subclavian steal syndrome and abnormal circulation
How It's Performed
The patient lies supine with a slight head turn. Ultrasound gel is applied to the neck and the probe moves along the carotid and vertebral arteries. Doppler measurements are obtained at multiple locations. No preparation is required and results are available immediately.
What Results Mean
- Normal IMT with no plaque — low risk; reassurance
- Plaque without stenosis — medical management with antiplatelet therapy and statins
- Moderate-to-severe stenosis — may warrant imaging confirmation and possible surgical intervention (carotid endarterectomy)
Who Should Get It
- Prior TIA (mini-stroke) or stroke
- Cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, smoking
- Carotid bruits detected on clinical examination
- Pre-operative assessment before major cardiac surgery
Ready to Schedule Your Carotid Ultrasound?
Most evaluations are available on the same day as your consultation with Dr. Peter Chang at Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore.