[Heloisea3]

I am a nursing student, and my patient recently had a transcranial Doppler ultrasonogram with microbubbles. I understand what the test is for, but I don't understand the role of the microbubbles. Can someone clarify this for me? My text mentions the test, but not the bubbles. Thanks.

[dianah]

The microbubbles can demonstrate any right-to-left shunt.

The article link below is from ACR (American College of Radiology)'s guidelines:

http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenu...l_doppler.aspx

It briefly touches on the reason for using the microbubbles.

While I've never seen this procedure, I have participated in many contrast echocardiograms, for which we inject agitated saline IV.
The purpose of these studies is to demonstrate (or not ) any unusual/abnormal communication between the ventricles or atria (PFO = patent foramen ovale).

You might do a google or yahoo or vivisimo search and ferret out any more information on the microbubbles as their use pertains to the transcranial ultrasound.

Good luck!

[PadawanLearner]

I've never heard of that procedure until now.

Just sounds like something Billy Mays would be selling on late night TV.

[Heloisea3]

Thank you so much.