1.9.1\ Scanning Method

The subject takes a supine position with the head slightly stretched and rotates to the left or right or holds a middle position to extend the neck. The probe is located at the root of the neck scan. For the deep carotid artery, the initial section of the clavicle, and the aortic arch, the 3–5 MHz low-­ frequency probe is used to scan.

1.9.2\ Sectional Structure

Oblique scanning the right carotid artery root displays the innominate artery, the initial segments of right subclavian artery, and the right common carotid artery.

1.9.3\ Measurement Methods

Measuring the diameter and the blood flow velocity of the initial segments of the carotid artery and right subclavian artery.

1.9.4\ Clinical Significance

Showing the anatomical location, situation of the wall and lumen of the carotid artery, subclavian artery, and aortic arch; judging whether there is stenosis or occlusion in the subclavian artery or innominate artery, and measuring blood flow spectrum to diagnose subclavian steal syndrome.

1.10.1\ Scanning Method

After showing the longitudinal section of the common carotid artery, the transducer is moved to scan the neck posterolaterally, looking for a transverse foramen of the cervical vertebra (discontinuous arrangement of highly echogenic reflectors with clear shadows), tracking the vertebral artery downward to the subclavian artery, and showing the longitudinal section of the initiation part of the vertebral artery.

1.10.2\ Sectional Structure

The long axis view of the proximal vertebral artery and vertebral vein, which is anterior to the

vertebral artery. The VA is usually located internal-­posterior to the VV.

1.10.3\ Measurement Methods

The diameter and the blood flow spectrum of the vertebral artery is measured.

1.10.4\ Clinical Significance

The anatomical location of the vertebral artery is shown and the a stenosis or an occlusion of the vertebral artery can be diagsosed in this plane. If the vertebral artery is not detected, first of all, vertebral artery occlusion should be suspected. Vertebral artery dysplasia or unilateral vertebral artery atresia is rare.

1.11\ Longitudinal Scanning

of the Initiation Part

of the Vertebral Artery Using

Color Flow Imaging

Fig. 7.11  Longitudinal section of the initiation part of the vertebral artery using color flow imaging

1.11.1\ Scanning Method

After showing the longitudinal section of the common carotid artery, the transducer is moved to scan posterolaterally looking for a transverse process of the cervical vertebra (discontinuous arrangement of highly echogenic reflectors with clear shadows), tracking the vertebral artery downward to the subclavian artery, and showing the longitudinal section of the initiation part of the vertebral artery.

1.11.2\ Sectional Structure

The long axis view of the proximal vertebral artery and vertebral vein is located anterior to the vertebral artery and parallel to it. The low-­

velocity blood flow signal in the front comes from the vertebral vein, and the high-velocity blood flow signal posteromedial comes from the vertebral artery.

1.11.3\ Clinical Significance

Two-dimensional ultrasound on the display of the vertebral artery varies with each individual, especially the endometrial display is not clear enough. Generally, it is necessary to use color Doppler ultrasound to track the artery, and to estimate whether there is a lumen stenosis or an occlusion. So color Doppler ultrasound is a important means for checking the vertebral artery according to the shape of the blood flow.