David McDonagh, M.D. Answers Questions On: Transcranial Doppler

Transcranial Doppler, or TCD, uses ultrasound to measure the velocity and direction of blood flow through the vessels in the head. It’s a noninvasive and painless tool that gives us important information about blood circulation in the head.    

TCD can be used to diagnose a variety of problems in the brain. In our critical care unit, we often use this type of imaging to determine if there is narrowing of the blood vessels, called vasospasm, which commonly follows a subarachnoid hemorrhage – that is, a stroke that involves bleeding around the brain, usually as the result of a ruptured aneurysm.    

Imaging techniques such as TCD are a big part of our mission to better monitor the brain in our neuro-ICU patients. We also offer continuous EEG monitoring in our unit.

These types of technologies are allowing us to more fully assess patients who have critical neurological illness so that we can give them fast and effective treatment whenever it’s needed. These are two examples of the services that differentiate us from many medical centers in North Texas.  We have the ability to provide complex cerebral monitoring and the expertise of a specialized team ready to address acute complications at any hour of the day or night.