Vascular ultrasound uses sound waves to show blood flow through vessels, giving radiologists clear, real-time images of the veins and arteries. A specialized Doppler ultrasound shows how blood flows through vessels, arteries and veins throughout the body to identify blockages, such as clots, plaque, tumors or malformations in the arms, legs, neck and abdominal region that may benefit from an intervention.

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Vascular imaging can diagnose pulmonary embolism, stenosis of a renal artery, clots or atherosclerotic disease in the legs, an aneurysm in a blood vessel or a small arteriovenous malformation.  All can be diagnosed and in some cases, treated, by using CT angiography.   CTA is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a tiny needle into a peripheral vein and using contrast to illuminate the arteries and veins. The procedure can track blood flow from arteries that connect to the brain to those carrying blood to the lungs, kidneys, and arms and legs. CTA is often being used instead of an invasive catheter angiography, which includes placing a large catheter in a vein or artery and injecting a contrast agent into the vein followed by non-invasive CT imaging. It is also useful in patients who cannot receive iodinated contrast agents.

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MRA is fast becoming one of the preferred methods of imaging the vascular system. Using radio waves and a magnetic field, this modality has an advantage over CT as it does not expose the patient to radiation. It is also useful in patients who cannot receive ionated contrast agents that are used in a CTA vascular study; however, a special type of contrast agent is used in some studies to enhance the images. MRA is helpful in diagnosing heart disease, blood vessel disorders and stroke.  

MRA is being used more frequently to look at the carotid arteries in the neck to diagnose atherosclerosis, a build up of plaque that may block one of the arteries to the brain. The study is also widely used in imaging the aorta and blood vessels leading to the kidneys, lungs and legs and diagnosing problems with the intracranial arteries and arterial aneurysms.

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