Color ultrasound is a technique used to evaluate blood flow. This method utilizes color coding to visualize the movement and speed of blood within vessels. As part of Doppler ultrasound technology, color Doppler ultrasound displays the direction and speed of blood flow using red and blue colors.
Color ultrasound is an important diagnostic tool. It is used not only for heart diseases but also for evaluating the health of the kidneys, liver, and other organs. During pregnancy, color Doppler ultrasound plays a critical role in examining the fetal heartbeat and vascular structure. It also helps determine whether blood flow in the umbilical cord and placenta is normal.
What is Color Doppler Ultrasound?
The color Doppler ultrasound technique is used during pregnancy to examine the fetal heart functions and vascular structure in detail. This method evaluates the blood flow between the placenta and fetus, enabling the early detection of possible anomalies.
Color Doppler ultrasound is applied from the second trimester of pregnancy. So, at what week is the color ultrasound performed? Experts recommend performing this ultrasound between the 18th and 24th weeks of pregnancy. During this period, the fetus’s organs are sufficiently developed to obtain detailed and reliable results. Additionally, when used in conjunction with 4D ultrasound techniques, the structural and functional features of the fetus can be assessed more comprehensively.
The color Doppler ultrasound performed during pregnancy not only monitors the health of the fetus but also checks the blood flow within the mother’s uterus. Thus, potential risks for both mother and baby are minimized. Color ultrasound is a non-invasive and safe method, and its repeatability makes it an ideal diagnostic tool in situations that require monitoring. These features make color ultrasound an indispensable evaluation method during pregnancy.
Is Detailed Ultrasound the Same as Color Doppler Ultrasound
Detailed ultrasound is used to examine the anatomical structure of the fetus in detail during pregnancy. This type of ultrasound is performed to evaluate the development of the fetus’s organs. It is generally applied between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy and provides comprehensive information about the fetus’s health.
- On the other hand, color Doppler ultrasound is a technique used to evaluate blood flow. In this method, it is possible to visualize the speed and direction of blood flow in blood vessels in color. Color ultrasound is used in the diagnosis of heart and vascular diseases, evaluation of fetal heart functions, and examination of blood flow between the placenta and fetus.
Color Doppler Ultrasound Costs
The costs of color Doppler ultrasound can vary depending on the technology used and the healthcare facility. Clinics specialized in perinatology use more advanced and sensitive ultrasound devices, which may be more expensive compared to other places.
Ultrasound devices can have different price ranges based on their technological features and the detailed imaging capacity they offer. Devices that provide high-resolution images and advanced Doppler technology offer more accurate and reliable results but are correspondingly more expensive.
How is Color Doppler Ultrasound Performed?
For the color Doppler ultrasound procedure, the patient is placed in an appropriate position and a thin layer of ultrasound gel is applied to the skin. This gel ensures the smooth transmission of sound waves between the skin and the probe. The ultrasound probe is placed on the gel-applied area and moved gently.
The probe sends sound waves and collects the returning echoes. The direction and speed of blood flow are displayed in color on the screen. Red and blue colors are determined based on whether the blood is moving away from or towards the probe. The specialist analyzes these images to make evaluations.
Are Color Doppler Ultrasound Results Immediate?
The results of a color Doppler ultrasound are obtained immediately after the procedure is completed. During the ultrasound, images are formed on the screen instantly, and the specialist evaluates these images simultaneously. Important information such as the direction and speed of blood flow can be observed immediately during the procedure.
After the procedure is completed, the specialist doctor examines these images in detail to make an initial assessment and can communicate the results to the patient. In some cases, more detailed analyses may be required, and in such cases, the results may be ready within a few hours or a day.
